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Monday, December 31, 2012
Gluten-Free Fun 2012 Year in Review
Another year has passed and again I am amazed how time flies. This has been a very busy year in both my personal life and my Celiac and gluten-free life. There were so many highlights to my year, so I thought I would pick my favorites to recap 2012. Happy New Year everyone!

January
February
March
April
May
  • I baked 31 cupcakes to embrace the 31 years I have been gluten-free and a diagnosed Celiac. 
  • I was a guest of honor at the 1st Annual Mid-Hudson Walk for Celiac. 
June
July
August
  • I shared my kitchen with (the now defunct) Celiacs in the House community. 
  • I went to Portland for the second time, eat ridiculously well and gluten-free, and even saw some gluten-free grafitti on the sidewalk. 
September
October
November
  • I started an amazing online campaign to collect gluten-free food donations for those affected by Hurricane Sandy in the tri-state area. 
  • I gave thanks for my Celiac Disease diagnosis and the gluten-free adventures along the way. 
December
  • I traveled to Denver, Colorado and found it to be a relatively gluten-free friendly city.
  • I sat back and reflected on what an amazing year 2012 has been for me and the gluten-free world. 

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Thursday, December 27, 2012
Gluten-Free Japanese Rice Noodle Salad
A very good friend of mine from college work is at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY. This prestigious school has been teaching and embracing special diets for years. I was very pleased when I saw this video last week. Enjoy!


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Monday, December 24, 2012
Happy Holidays from Gluten-Free Fun

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Monday, December 17, 2012
The World's Largest Gluten-Free Pizza
I was sent this press release last week. It sounds like a fun way to spread some awareness about being gluten-free. 


Dr. Schar Sponsors and Serves up "The World's Largest Gluten-Free Pizza" to Raise Awareness of Celiac Disease and Gluten-Sensitivity

100% gluten-free pizza made with over 9 tons of Schar flour measuring 131 feet wide in diameter is a new Guinness World Record

LYNDHURST, N.J., Dec 14, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Dr. Schar Group, parent company of Dr. Schar USA, Inc. and owner of the Schar brand, the European market leader in gluten-free foods, celebrates a record-breaking achievement - the "World's Largest Gluten-Free Pizza" - which was officially entered in the Guinness World Records in Rome, Italy yesterday. The company sponsored the 100% gluten-free creation, lovingly called "Ottavia", in support of an awareness campaign of celiac disease and gluten-sensitivity; supplying more than 9 tons of the company's gluten-free flour. With an alarmingly low diagnosis rate of under 15 percent, an estimated 1 in 100 Americans suffer from celiac disease. Additionally there is a growing prevalence of gluten-sensitivity issues. The sponsored event aims to raise the much needed awareness of the autoimmune disease and showcase the food advancements, led by Dr. Schar and its brands, in gluten-free food that is tasty, delicious and healthy.
Organized by NIPfood and featured on opening day of the Arts & Crafts Expo held at the Fiera di Roma, Ottavia was an effort that culminated from more than 48 hours of continuous artisan work from five NIPfood chefs who specialize in baked goods such as pastries and gluten-free pizza.
Recipe for Success - Raw materials and ingredients for "World's Largest Gluten-Free Pizza":
-- 9.9 tons of Schar gluten-free flour mixed with 2,480 gallons of water
-- 5 tons of tomato sauce
-- 4.4 tons of mozzarella cheese
-- 1,488 pounds of margarine
-- 551 pounds of salt
-- 275 pounds of parmesan cheese
-- 220 pounds of lettuce
-- 55 pounds or vinegar
-- 298 gallons of yeast
Covering an area of nearly one-third of an acre and with a circumference of more than the length of football field, the pizza measured 131 feet in diameter and weighed in at 25.6 tons (51,257 pounds). The NIPfood chefs baked gluten-free dough and raw materials in special equipment, currently not on the market, containing thermal lances with temperatures registering between 300 deg and 500 deg Fahrenheit.
As celiac disease becomes more mainstream, cases of gluten-sensitivity are on the rise. Schar USA Director of Nutritional Services, Anne Lee, MSEd, RD, LD has launched an educational campaign for Health Care Professionals on celiac disease and gluten sensitivity. Using the most recent research information from world leaders of the Consensus Conference on Gluten Sensitivity the emerging research shows that this may affect up to 4% of the population. Characterized by similar symptoms to celiac disease and wheat allergies, negative test outcomes are normal results for gluten-sensitivity. Physicians and nutritionists recommend adopting a gluten-free diet as a way to manage symptoms and side effects.
"We are proud to be the sponsor of the 'World's Largest Gluten-Free Pizza," explained Ulrich Ladurner, founder and president of Dr. Schar Group. "After thirty years, Dr. Schar continues to lead the industry in raising awareness and educating the world about celiac disease and gluten-sensitivity. Ottavia has given us the opportunity to also demonstrate that gluten-free diets no longer mean suffering at the dinner table for celiacs and those who are gluten-sensitive. With innovation and research, gluten-free foods are now even more tasty, delicious and nutritious than ever."
Ottavia ended the reign of the last world-recorder holder, achieved by South African retailer, Norwood Pick'n'Pay, which was awarded as having the "World's Largest Pizza" in 1990. The pizza not only contained gluten but also was smaller in diameter and weighed less.
Officials from Guinness World Records presented Dr. Schar the award for the "World's Largest Gluten-Free Pizza". After the ceremony, the gluten-free pizza was cut and distributed to the audience.
"Here in the USA, consumers can participate in our achievement on a smaller yet just as tasty scale by trying our Schar Pizza Crust or Bonta d' Italia Thin-Crust Cheese Pizza products, available at grocery, natural food, and specialty gourmet stores across the USA," said Roberto Cruz, marketing manager at Schar USA, Inc.

To find the nearest store near you that carries Schar products, please visit www.schar.com .
DR. SCHAR USA
Dr. Schar USA, Inc. ( www.schar.com ), is a subsidiary of Dr. Schar, the market leader in Europe offering the widest array of gluten-free products. A trusted household name, Schar is backed by over 30 years in the marketplace and a world-class team of food technologists, dietitians, and scientists. The company provides the celiac and gluten sensitive communities a flavorful selection of quality, gluten-free and trusted products so that they may lead a carefree, pleasurable life. With a commitment to delivering worry-free dining experiences for the celiac and gluten sensitive communities, the company opened its first ever USA manufacturing facility dedicated to producing gluten-free breads in New Jersey this past June.
Learn more about Dr. Schar USA, Inc. and its product line by visiting: www.schar.com or follow us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/scharglutenfree and Twitter: www.twitter.com/scharglutenfree .
DR. SCHAR GROUP - GLUTEN FREE SPECIALIST
Dr. Schar Group, a vanguard company with over 30 years of history is the market leader in Italy and Europe in gluten-free food and is the main sponsor of Ottavia with 2 brands Schar and DS - gluten free. Dr. Schar was born in the 20's, but launched in 1981 under the leadership of its President, Ulrich Ladurner, and following a reorganization became in a only a few decades the most advanced competitor in its business segment. Today, the company is based in Postal, Italy, and has a turnover of more than EUR 176 million, with 515 employees and offices in Germany, England, Spain and the USA. In Europe, its market share has been estimated at approximately 35 to 40 percent.
In Italy, the leadership of the group is even more pronounced, with 45% market share driven by sales in the pharmacy channel, with the brand Schar, and in the retail channel with brand DS - gluten free. Schar, whose roots began in the pharmacy channel, has always been attentive to the celiac consumer; starting with diagnosis and offering a wide range of products and services: please visit www.schaer.com .
One of its most important initiatives is that of Dr. Schar Foodservice, which meets the diverse needs of the channel away from home, both in Italy and abroad through a wide range of products and services including the Bonta d' Italia Gluten-Free Pizza program, a network of more than 400 restaurants and pizzerias offering a full gluten-free menu since 2004 that has NIPfood as its training partner.
Please visit www.glutenfreeroads.com , a community dedicated to travel, allowing you to plan your route and listing hotels, restaurants and shops where gluten-free products are offered.

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Monday, December 10, 2012
Getting the Correct Information on Gluten Free
A few weeks ago, radio personality Joe Kelly from Cat Country 107.3FM in New Jersey, posted his opinion of the gluten-free diet on his website. This caused a bit of an uproar in his listening community and my friend Michael Savett, from Gluten-Free Philly, went on air to set Joe Kelly straight. Click here to listen to the entire interview with Michael. Many thanks to Michael who continues to be an amazing advocate for our gluten-free/Celiac community. Thank you Joe Kelly for admitting you made a mistake and didn't do your homework first.


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Friday, December 7, 2012
Diva Coupon Book Giveaway

My friend Lauren Lucielle, aka The Celiac Diva, recently launched the Diva Coupon Book which gives you over $800 of savings on gluten-free food and products. This is the perfect holiday gift for your favorite online, gluten-free shopper. There are coupon codes for all of your favorite gluten-free companies in an easy-to-navigate PDF file. The coupon book costs $35 and is well worth the money if you are a frequent online shopper.


Click here for more details. 


Want to win your own Diva Coupon?
Enter today in my very first Facebook giveaway contest!
Click here. 


1 winner will be chosen next week

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Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Celiac College Scholarship Program
As a board member for the Kicking4Celiac Foundation, I am excited to announce our 2013 scholarship program. This is an amazing opportunity for a celiac student to get some money for college.




The Kicking 4 Celiac Foundation now offers a one of a kind scholarship opportunity that will help students with Celiac Disease off-set the costs of gluten-free living when entering college. This scholarship award helps students subsidize their meal costs that are dictated by living with Celiac Disease.

We are pleased to award these scholarships to students that are graduating high school and entering into a four-year undergraduate college program, and are doing so with Celiac Disease. As the daily struggles of living with Celiac Disease can sometimes be debilitating, each of the students applying should be students who exemplify perseverance, hard work, and dedication, all traits the foundation prides itself on.

Other criteria must be met during the application process, but we naturally want to honor those hard at work that live with Celiac Disease, and continually open new doors for themselves through their hard work!

The Foundation is excited to award $10,000 in scholarships to the graduating High School class of 2013!

The application for the graduating High School class of 2013 is now available, so e-mail info@kicking4celiac.org to receive yours! Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter for up to date scholarship information, as well as all of the new and exciting things the Kicking 4 Celiac Foundation has to offer!

Take a look at our inaugural 2012 scholarship winners here!

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Tuesday, December 4, 2012
GF Hurricane Relief: FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties
As I expected, many of the food banks I contacted last month were bombarded with emails and phone calls asking how people can help after the hurricane. I didn't hear back from everyone I contacted right away, but emails are still coming in. Here is a response from the FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties in New Jersey.

Yes we do accept food for people with allergies and have already done so from several groups during the disaster. They have just mailed food to us. We list the food on our daily "food list" which all of our 200+ pantries, soup kitchens and other agencies can access online to see what we have available in our warehouse.  They can order it if they know of a family or families who need it, and it is either delivered to them on our trucks or they can come and pick it up themselves. 
FoodBank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties
3300 Route 66  
Neptune, NJ  07753 
Tel: (732) 918-2600 
Fax:(732) 918-2660 
http://www.foodbankmoc.org

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Monday, December 3, 2012
Small Plates & Sweet Treats

Back in October, I went to an event for the launch of Small Plates & Sweet Treats by Aran Goyoaga, blogger at Cannelle et Vanille. This book launch party was held in a huge, beautifully-located loft space in the Martha Stewart Offices overlooking the Hudson River. There were poster-sized images from the October issue of Whole Living magazine lining the walls highlighting the feature on some of Aran's gluten-free breakfast recipes. The spread looked delicious and even better, it was all gluten-free. It was wonderful to meet Aran during the party. She was so sweet and humble and clearly very proud of her book. The whole event was really just so lovely.

I think Small Plates & Sweet Treats is a beautiful book. The photos that accompany each recipe are just gorgeous; the recipes are measured out in both metric and customary units, which is helpful to those who bake using grams vs. ounces; and every recipe in the book is gluten-free. This would make the perfect holiday gift for your favorite gluten-free cook.

Here are pictures from the event. All food was gluten-free.
















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