Fancy Food Show Brings Gluten-Free to the Spotlight

Diner's Journal: Healthy, Tasty and Unusual at the Fancy Food Show
By By FLORENCE FABRICANT
Published: June 29, 2010

There used to be a divide between “fancy food” and “health food.” At this year’s Fancy Food Show, which ends its three-day run at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on Tuesday, it’s evident that the two categories have seamlessly merged. The words most commonly seen were organic, vegan, whole grain, fair trade, anti-oxidant and gluten-free.

“Judging from this show you’d think the whole world had celiac disease,” said Jennifer Lea Cohan, a publicist who works with the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, which runs the show.

Read more...

Gluten-Free Fun Wins Award!

Gluten-Free Fun has just received a 2010 Top Allergy Blogs award! I am not sure how I was nominated, but this is my first blog award and I am really excited to be on the top 25. Thank you to all of my readers and commenters over the past three years!


Medical Billing and Coding Training

Kinnikinnick Blog

Many gluten-free food vendors now have their own blogs. A recent addition to the list is the Kinnikinnick blog. Add it to your RSS feed today!

http://blog.kinnikinnick.com/

Gluten-Free Fun... The Original

I noticed that over the past few months more and more people are using "Gluten Free Fun" as the name of their blog, their blog postings, and even their Twitter accounts. Please don't be confused, loyal readers, this blog started in 2007 and is still going strong three and a half years later. If you ever have any questions about information you are reading on this site, you can always email me directly. (Found on my About Me page) I value my readers, but don't want people to be confused about (mis)information they might be reading elsewhere.

Thank you for your loyalty and your readership!

Sign Up Today! Gluten-Free Gourmet Getaway

It is not too late to sign up for the Gluten-Free Gourmet Getaway on July 15-18, 2010.

Good Commons, a private vacation home located in the stunning mountains of central Vermont, in conjunction with BeWellLiving.com, present an all-inclusive culinary getaway that draws upon the bounty of the Northeast. The menu will be entirely gluten-free* and feature products from some of the best bakers and food artisans in the country, including Everybody Eats, Liv Gluten Free, Nibmor and more. In addition, the itinerary also features Pilates and fitness expert Sara Sessions and on-site sommelier Kristen Siebecker, who will guide guests through a 4-course gourmet gluten-free dinner with specially chosen organic and/or biodynamic wines.

July 15 – 18, 2010
Weekend includes:
• Round-trip transportation** on the Good bus, a private 24-passenger jitney stocked with gourmet snacks and beverages
• 3 nights lodging at Good Commons
• All meals and beverages as outlined in itinerary, including 4-course dinner w/ wine pairings
• Local excursions and outdoor adventures
• On-site nutrition, wellness and fitness experts

For full itinerary, visit: www.goodcommons.com/gluten2010.html

Price ranges from $450 – $575/per person, based on package.

*Only gluten-free products will be used throughout the weekend, but it is not intended for those with severe food allergies, as Good Commons is not an exclusively gluten-free facility.

**RT transportation provided to/from New York City. Pick-up/drop-off from local train station/airport near Good Commons is also available.

Good Commons
4771 Route 100A
Plymouth, VT 05056
802.776.8333
www.goodcommons.com

Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star: Gluten-Free Girl

Looks like Kelly Sheehan has some competition in Oprah's "Your Own Show" contest. Shauna James Ahern, also known as the Gluten-Free Girl, has submitted an entry into this contest. Many of you might already known Shauna and her husband Danny from her blog Gluten-Free Girl or from her book by the same name or even from her upcoming book, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef.

I had the pleasure of meeting Shauna and Danny at Whole Foods in 2007. They were a sweet and engaging couple that certainly had a passion for gluten-free food and each other.


Me with Shauna and Danny Ahern at Whole Foods Bowery

Best of luck to Shauna in this contest!

Vote Today!

From the website:
Saying Yes to Gluten-Free

Cooking is such joyous fun that you don't want to miss it. If you need to live gluten-free, cooking is an essential skill. Since most of the world's great foods are naturally gluten-free, this show will teach you how to make food that makes everyone hungry. It will also demonstrate how to bake with alternative flours and appreciate what you can eat. Learn to say yes and dance in the kitchen.

Shauna Ahern writes the popular Web site, Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef, which was named one of the best food sites in the world by Gourmet, Bon Appetit, and The London Times. The website won Best Food Blog with a Theme in the World in 2006 and receives thousands of hits a day. The cookbook she wrote with her chef husband Daniel - Gluten-Free Girl and the Chef: A Love Story in 100 Tempting Recipes - will be published in the fall of 2010.

Shauna feels grateful for the chance to cook and bake every day and share this joy with people around the world.

Vote Today!

LÄRABAR® Introduces Four New Flavors

I am really excited about the new flavors of LÄRABAR and cannot wait to try them! The new flavors include Carrot Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Chip Brownie, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. As with the other flavors of LÄRABAR, these new flavors are all gluten-free. The new flavors were unveiled at the Natural Products Expo West in March and they are now available to the public at www.larabar.com! For the next month, LÄRABAR is offering 15% off any purchase of the new flavors by entering promo code LARNEW10.

Here is the press release:

Denver, CO, March, 2010 – LÄRABAR® (LARABAR.COM) maker of the original fruit and nut food bar, is pleased to announce the launch of their newest flavors – Carrot Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and Chocolate Chip Brownie. These four additions bring the total number of delicious LÄRABAR flavors to nineteen, once again expanding the variety of dessert inspired alternatives for health conscious consumers. LÄRABAR will be unveiling their much-anticipated new flavors at the Natural Products Expo West, taking place March 12th through the 14th at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA.

The Carrot Cake flavor is so delicious, you may think you’re biting into a slice of the real thing. Subtle hints of pineapple and coconut blend with nuts and raisins to create a sweet, nutty and spicy experience. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Chocolate Chip Brownie, and Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip are the first flavors ever made with chocolate chips. They taste indulgent, delicious and are the perfect sweet. They are made with the simplest of chocolate chips (cocoa powder, cocoa mass, sugar, and vanilla).

Of the new chocolate chip flavors, LÄRABAR founder, Lara Merriken said, “At LÄRABAR we emulate the decadent flavors of time honored desserts and snacks with the use of wholesome, simple ingredients. It seemed only natural that we would find a way to incorporate chocolate chips into our bars, which are a favorite among desert lovers alike. We are thrilled to finally be able to unveil our new chocolate chip flavors: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and Chocolate Chip Brownie. ”

Delicious Taste in Its Simplest Form
LÄRABAR is the embodiment of food in its simplest, most satisfying and natural state. “Our products contain 100% whole food, with no more than 2 to 9 ingredients. LÄRABAR is a wholesome snack made of fruit, nuts and spices” adds Merriken.

About LÄRABAR®
Founded in 2003 by Lara Merriken, LÄRABAR now produces nineteen LÄRABAR brand flavors and seven JŎCALAT brand flavors. The company is committed to producing simple, whole food products. LÄRABAR products are available worldwide at a variety of natural, specialty, and conventional grocers and outdoor lifestyle retailers. For more information, visit LARABAR.COM or call 877-LÄRABAR (527-2227).

Suffolk County Celiacs Looking for Vendors!

The Suffolk County Celiacs are holding their 4th Gluten-Free Vendor Fair and Fundraiser. This is the biggest gluten-free fairs in the Northeast and I am excited to go for my fourth time. I always meet such great people and take home a ton of samples.

The Suffolk County Celiacs are looking for vendors. In the past, the Fair has grown in attendance from 700 attendees to over 1,600 attendees. This year because of the two day event and the room they have, they expect to have over 2,000 attendees, each with a keen interest in the gluten free diet and gluten free foods. Being present at the Fair gives your company exposure to celiacs and people suffering from gluten intolerance in a single location.

All activities of the Fair will be held at the IBEW Hall at 370 Vanderbilt Motor Parkway, Hauppauge NY 11788. The IBEW Hall has ample free parking available for the duration of the conference and is convenient to many modes of public transportation.

Saturday, August 28th through Sunday August 29th
Vendor setup will begin 9:00 am on August 28th.
Exhibit Teardown will begin at 3:00 pm on August 29th.
Exhibit hours: August 28th – from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
August 29th – from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm

Are you an interested vendor? If so, please visit the Suffolk County Celiacs event page here: http://www.suffolkcountyceliacs.org/Events.html

Oprah's Search for the Next TV Star: Gluten-Free Kelly

Kelly Sheehan, a member of the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup group, is auditioning for the "Your Own Show" contest. Oprah and Kohl's are running a contest for the next tv star for the Oprah network. Kelly's video gives a quick glimpse of a gluten free awareness show. It highlights her ideas for a healthy life style as a Celiac. Future episodes would include interviews with doctors, chefs, nutritionists and "real" people suffering from other food allergies. Her video also includes a few out takes to show the fun side of my personality.

Vote today!

Gluten-Free Gourmet Getaway

I am excited to announce a unique gluten-free getaway in Vermont this July. Good Commons, a vacation-home destination in the mountains in Vermont, is hosting their very first Gluten-Free weekend. With direct transportation from NYC, a weekend of worry-free gluten-free meals, and three nights lodging, this sounds like a very exciting weekend getaway. I would definitely attend this event myself, but my sister is due to have her third baby this summer and I am on aunt duty!

CAN YOU HAVE A GOURMET CULINARY VACATION EVEN
WITH DIETARY RESTRICTIONS?

Boutique retreat destination announces

“Eat Good! Gluten-Free Gourmet Getaway”

July 15 - 18 for those with dietary restrictions who still want to indulge.

Good Commons, a private vacation home located in the stunning mountains of central Vermont, in conjunction with BeWellLiving.com, present an all-inclusive culinary getaway that draws upon the bounty of the Northeast. The menu will be entirely gluten-free* and feature products from some of the best bakers and food artisans in the country, including Everybody Eats, Liv Gluten Free, Nibmor and more. In addition, the itinerary also features Pilates and fitness expert Sara Sessions and on-site sommelier Kristen Siebecker, who will guide guests through a 4-course gourmet gluten-free dinner with specially chosen organic and/or biodynamic wines.

“We always try to make people feel comfortable and at ease in every aspect of their experience at Good Commons,” shares owner/creator Tesha Buss. “Having hosted so many past guests with dietary restrictions, it seemed like a natural extension of our mission to relax, retreat and revitalize. The support from the gluten-free and celiac communities has been amazing!”

“Being the chef at Good Commons,” adds Matthew Wexler, “I've found that there is sometimes a fear or frustration related to food for those that must cope with Celiac Disease or dietary restrictions. It has been our goal to acknowledge, honor and ultimately transform that energy into something joyous by offering delicious, healthy, farm-to-table cuisine in an environment that encourages the celebration of food. We continue to work hard, building relationships with local farmers and food artisans to bring the purest, highest-quality ingredients to the Good Commons table.”

The weekend itinerary is appealing to anyone who wants to take a break from fast-paced city life. Good Commons has quickly become one of the Northeast’s premier boutique destinations that remains affordable in today’s economy. Amy Silverman, event co-host and founder of BeWellLiving.com, shares, “I think anyone would enjoy this experience—gluten-free or not. There’s something uniquely welcoming about the environment at Good Commons.”

July 15 – 18, 2010
Weekend includes:
• Round-trip transportation** on the Good bus, a private 24-passenger jitney stocked with gourmet snacks and beverages
• 3 nights lodging at Good Commons
• All meals and beverages as outlined in itinerary, including 4-course dinner w/ wine pairings
• Local excursions and outdoor adventures
• On-site nutrition, wellness and fitness experts

For full itinerary, visit: www.goodcommons.com/gluten2010.html

Price ranges from $450 – $575/per person, based on package.

*Only gluten-free products will be used throughout the weekend, but it is not intended for those with severe food allergies, as Good Commons is not an exclusively gluten-free facility.

**RT transportation provided to/from New York City. Pick-up/drop-off from local train station/airport near Good Commons is also available.

Good Commons
4771 Route 100A
Plymouth, VT 05056
802.776.8333
www. goodcommons.com

What people are saying about Good Commons:
“The attention to detail—from plush linens and customized activities to a hands-on approach and gourmet local cuisine—makes this the ideal spot for those who want a weekend escape in a gorgeous setting any time of year.” Stacy B., yoga instructor

“If you ever want to see the beauty of Vermont, do it while staying at Good Commons. It is an amazing retreat for any occasion. It is warm, friendly, and like nothing else I've experienced. It should not be missed!” Ellen T., guest

“IN LOVE.... with Good Commons and the blissful, magical, truly once-in-a-lifetime experience I had there this weekend... I'm still buzzing... there aren't enough stars here to reflect the wonderfulness of it all... from the food to the company to the hot tub to the magical music...thanks from the bottom of my heart...” Karen S., guest

About BeWellLiving.com
BeWellLiving.com brings together a dedicated group of health, wellness and lifestyle
professionals who support individuals and groups through membership packages, referrals to individual services, parties, lunch-and-learns, interactive seminars, and the internet.

About Good Commons
The mission of Good Commons is to relax, retreat and revitalize. The historical property was built in the 1840’s and lovingly restored and renovated by owner/creator Tesha Buss. Amenities include 6 bedrooms and a sleeping loft, 2 living rooms, 450 square-foot multi-purpose studio, outdoor hot tub and fire pit, Wi-Fi and house-wide stereo system. Good Commons shares local partnerships with co-hosts and guests by creating itineraries that embrace direct connections to artisans, craftspeople and forward thinkers who believe in “Good” business.

Celiac Disease Awareness Night at Citifield

On Tuesday, May 25th the NY Mets hosted their first, and hopefully annual, Celiac Disease Awareness Night at Citifield. The NY Mets gave their spirit award to Kozy Shack and Randi Albertelli of ROCK-Long Island.

Kozy Shack recently announced that their puddings, flan, and gels are all gluten-free. Before the game, they were even giving out free samples of their gluten-free chocolate and rice pudding in the parking lot. I ate two before I even got in the park. I don't eat pudding a lot, but the chocolate pudding was good. It was also great to see right in front of the Kozy Shack sign the poster announcing Celiac Disease Awareness night and the spirit award recipients, including Kozy Shack.

Raising Our Celiac Kids is a free support group for parents, families and friends of kids on the gluten-free diet for any reason including celiac disease, gluten intolerance, autism, ADD/ADHD, allergies, dermatitis herpetiformis, or personal preference. Their meetings are held in Plainview, NY. Randi had coordinated with Citifield so that a portion of the proceeds from our group sales tickets would go towards the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University. The NYC Celiac Disease Meetup Group sold 74 tickets for this event! This was our largest meetup event ever!

Although the fundraiser and the first annual Celiac Disease Awareness night was more than exciting, it was the gluten-free concession stand that made everyone quite excited. One of our group members had called ahead to tell the stadium that to prepare for a large demand of gluten-free food, but they were really unprepared. The lines for the gluten-free food were longer than other concession stands in the area. Everyone was so excited at the opportunity to eat "normal" food at the ballpark.

I waited until about the 4th inning to go down and enjoy some gluten-free food when I knew the lines wouldn't be so long. I am a rare gluten-free beer drinker, but I bought two Redbridge beers just because I could! For dinner, I got sausage and peppers on a gluten-free hero roll. I was super excited!! The concession stand also sold hotddogs and hamburgers on gluten-free buns. The bread products all come from The Grainless Baker. My friend Dean and I always go to games and I usually end up eating peanuts and Carvel, but this time he laughed as I gorged myself on gluten-free carbs. I was a happy lady.

I love going to Mets games and think Citifield is amazing. This gluten-free concession stand only reinforces my NY Mets fan status. I am going to another game on June 24th and can't wait to enjoy another great night of gluten-free food in the park.

Enjoy the pictures of the first annual Celiac Disease Awareness night at Citifield with the NY Mets below.



1. Rotunda, 2. Celiac Disease Awareness Day at Citifield, 3. Gluten-Free Sponsor: Kozy Shack, 4. Gluten-Free Concession Stand, 5. Gluten-Free Menu, 6. Redbridge Beer, 7. Dinner, 8. Take me out to the ballgame

Pamela's Products 5th Annual Gluten-Free Recipe Contest

Ukiah, CA (May 2010) Pamela's Products, an award-winning leader in the gluten-free foods arena is accepting entries for its 5th Annual "Gluten-Free Recipe Contest" beginning on June 1, 2010. This year's contest theme, 'Bite Sized Delights', invites contestants to create gluten-free miniature variations of your favorite dishes using any of the Pamela's Products brand products.

Cultures around the world have enjoyed small plates for generations. From tapas, to dumplings to sliders, 'mini' dishes can be small in size but big in flavor. Recipes for pint-sized dishes such as individual sized pizza or two-bite muffins are ideal for on-the-go lunches, creative snack food, and appetizers for parties or single-serve entrees. Perfect for busy parents, college students or party hosts, mini-dishes are a fun way to make an ordinary day festive.

Pamela's Products' "Gluten-Free Recipe Contest" offers home cooks the opportunity to share their recipes with a wider community. Winning entries will have their recipes featured on the Pamela's Products website and in our newsletter. Winners will be chosen by the Pamela's Products team on or around September 30, 2010. One Grand Prize winner will receive a $200 gift certificate to a kitchen supply store and First and Second Runner-Ups will receive $100 gift certificates.

Considered a fun and creative way to discover new dishes and reinvent old favorites, Pamela's Products' Annual Gluten-Free Recipe Contest is the perfect opportunity to showcase how Pamela's Products are versatile and simple to use. Pamela's Products line of gourmet fast, easy and delicious baking mixes are the ideal ingredients to make any recipe, big or small, gluten-free and great tasting.

As 2009 Recipe Contest Winner, Jocelyn states, "After experimenting with Pamela's Products, I came up with this delicious, spicy, savory treat that no one could tell it didn't have gluten! I don't see any reason why I have to eat differently than other people so I make the things my friends and family are used to--just gluten-free. We all enjoy them together."

Jocelyn won the 2009 Grand Prize for her recipe for Cajun-Spiced Empanadas with Chipotle Cream Sauce; 2009 Runner-ups were awarded to recipes for English Sticky Toffee Pudding and Pecan Alfajores Cookies. 2009 Honorable mentions include recipes for Cheddar-Thyme Waffles, Cherry Chip Cookies, Easy Monte Cristo Sandwiches, Peanut Butter & Chocolate Filled Brownie Cups, Tuna Quiche, Raspberry Cream Cheese Cornbread Muffins and Quick Donut Holes. All 2009 winning recipes are available at www.pamelasproducts.com.

The contest will begin on Tuesday, June 1 at 12:01am (PT) and end on Monday, August 16 at 11:59pm (PT). There is no limit to the number of entries each contestant can submit provided that all entries follow contest rules and requirements.

Contestants can submit entries on the Pamela's Products website or mail in their entries. Entry forms will be available on the Pamela's Products website, www.pamelasproducts.com starting on June 1, 2010. Mailed entries can be sent to Pamela's Products, Recipe Contest, 200 Clara Ave., Ukiah CA 95482.

Pamela's Products are a tried-and-true staple for those following a gluten-free diet. 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".) 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. 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.

For more information on Pamela's Products or contest rules and regulations, please visit www.pamelasproducts.com or email info@ pamelaproducts.com. 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.


Contest Rules & Regulations

All Gluten-Free Recipe Entries Must:
1. Use a minimum of one Pamela's Products brand product as an ingredient;
2. List all ingredients with exact US measurements in order of use;
3. Include descriptions of any special gluten-free items that may not be readily available, or that require special notice to maintain the recipe as gluten-free;
4. Include complete step-by-step directions for preparation (including pan size, cooking/baking time, and temperature)
5. List size and number of servings produced. No illegible, incomplete, forged or altered entries will be accepted.

Recipes will be judged on overall originality, visual appeal, taste, and how well the Pamela's Products brand product is utilized. Winners will be chosen by the Pamela's Products team on or around September 30, 2010. One Grand Prize winner will receive a $200 gift certificate and Two Runners-Up will each receive a $100 gift certificate each to a kitchen supply store.


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.

Heidi's Gluten-Free Greatness

On June 2, the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup group had a summer happy hour at Heather's Bar, one of our favorite locations. The owner Heather stays away from all gluten and carries a few gluten-free beers at her bar as well as potato vodkas. She also has a dedicated tap and line for gluten-free hard cider. This week I had both Bard's Tale and Redbridge during the happy hour.

As an added bonus, nutritionist and baker Heidi Dean and her fiance Phil from Heidi's Gluten-Free Goodness, joined us for happy hour with some samples. Heidi and Phil brought gluten-free brownies, sandwich bread, and pizza. All three were absolutely delicious. "Heidi creates healthy, delicious, fresh-baked gluten-free products using the freshest organic, local ingredients available. She won’t use artificial flavors or preservatives. As a nutritionist, she takes great care to ensure her breads are the healthiest you can buy. As a baker, all of her products are moist, natural and most importantly, they taste great!"

Heidi started baking for her fiance Phil when he was diagnosed with Celiac. Heidi and Phil were disappointed with the quality of gluten-free products on the market, so when Heidi found successful gluten-free recipes she started selling her products. Their products can be found at a few stores in the Hudson Valley and at the Westerly Market in NYC.







I brought a few friends with me to happy hour, including a friend that used to have a professional cake business. She thought Heidi's products were delicious and "didn't have that weird gluten-free texture or taste." I had to agree. Heidi's Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread was moist and didn't crumble like most gluten-free breads tend to do. The brownie were also moist and had just the right amount of chocolate. By far, my favorite was their sun-dried tomato topped pizza. I think Heidi's use of fresh vegetables and edible flowers helped, but the pizza was delicious. The pizza was intentionally served at room temperature/cold, but I think that actually helped enhance its flavor.

I have yet to go to the Westerly Market, but I will be sure to make a trip there on Tuesday or Saturday when Heidi's products are delivered fresh.

The Westerly Natural Market
54th St at 8th
New York City
(212)586-5262

Thank you to Heidi and Phil for joining the NYC Celiac Disease Meetup event. They were great company during our happy hour and I wish them the best of luck.

Heidi's Gluten-Free Greatness
http://heidisglutenfree.com

Gluten-Free Cooking School Webinar Now Available

As you may have read here a few weeks ago, on May 25 Mary Frances of the Gluten Free Cooking School offered an online webinar about gluten-free living. She receives a lot of gluten-free reader questions and decided to help answer your questions during an hour-long online seminar. This webinar is now available as an MP3 download for you to listen to at your convenience.

Please click here to listen to this webinar today.

Define Glutard

I found this on Urban Dictionary (a fave!) today after debating the meaning of the word over gluten-free beers last night. I thought it was quite amusing. Sorry for those of you who are easily offended.

Glutard: One who does not possess the enzymes necessary to digest gluten, a main ingredient in wheat products. One who is "glutarded" must only eat gluten-free foods, such as water, tofu, and air.

"Hey, do you want some pasta for dinner?"
"No, sorry, I'm a glutard."
"...what does that mean?"
"It means... I'm glutarded."
"Oh. Okay."