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Casino Night Fundraiser for Local Celiac Support Group
Gluten-Free News: May 2013
Happy Celiac Disease Awareness Month!
Learn more about what you can do to advocate for celiacs with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness 2013 awareness campaign: Fuel the Family.
You can also raise awareness by participating in the “Making Tracks for Celiacs” walk hosted by the the Western New York Gluten Free Diet Support Group. It will take place on May 11 at Clarence Town Park in Clarence, NY.
Rochester News & Events
Wegmans is now serving gluten-free pizza at their Market Cafe is select stores. Store like Penfield and Pittsford, and Canandaigua will have Conte’s new “Gluten-Free Bake-in-Bag Pizza” available to order. Because this new product is baked in a bag, it does not come into contact with the contaminated surfaces of the pizza station. Gluten-free customers can choose from three pizzas, Margherita, Mushroom Florentine or Pepperoni. This products is also available in Nature’s Marketplace. Read more here.
Small World Food, a local and organic ice creamery, fermentery, and bakery makes gluten-free baked goods. The sweets are available at the Rochester Public Market, Joe Bean, Little Bleu Cheese Shop, and the Corn Hill Market Exchange. They are also available in Lento and Natural Oasis Restaurant.
Rochester’s Public Market is highlighted in this issue of SUNY Geneseo’s “Lamron”, as are two vendors that serve gluten-free food: Go Veggies and Small World Food. See article here.
Lori’s Naturals Foods is hosting their annual, “All Things Gluten-Free” Food Fair on May 19. Starting at 6:30, customers will be able to taste new gluten-free products at Lori’s store. The Greater Rochester Celiac Support Group will also be in attendance to talk about celiac disease and gluten sensitivity.
Gluten-Free in the News
“Blue Ice Vodka Becomes First Spirit with Gluten-Free Labeling.” Packaging Digest. April 29, 2013. http://www.packagingdigest.com/article/523255-Blue_Ice_Vodka_becomes_first_spirit_with_gluten_free_labeling.php
“Actress Jennifer Esposito Opens Gluten-Free Bakery.” Michael d’Estries. April 12, 2013. http://www.mnn.com/health/fitness-well-being/blogs/actress-jennifer-esposito-opens-gluten-free-bakery
“Rachael Ray, Gwyneth Paltrow Cook Gluten-Free, Vegan Muffins.” Huffington Post. April 18, 2013. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/16/rachael-ray-gwyneth-paltrow_n_3091651.html
“Food Scanning App Now Identifies Gluten-Free Products.” Food Magazine (Australia). April 22, 2013. http://www.foodmag.com.au/news/food-scanning-app-now-lists-gluten-free-status
“Rudi’s Organic Bakery New Dedicated Gluten-Free Facility.” Rudi’s Bakery Blog- Fresh from the Oven. April 25, 2013. http://www.rudisbakery.com/gluten-free-post/rudis-organic-bakery-new-dedicated-gluten-free-facility/
“Gov’t: Food Allergies May be Disability Under Law.” The Big Story- AP. January 18, 2013. http://bigstory.ap.org/article/food-servers-more-vulnerable-legal-threats
Post-5K Eats and Drinks at Victoire
This past Saturday I ran my first 5K- the Color Vibe. I’ve never really enjoyed running. I signed up for Color Vibe 5K because of peer pressure – all my friends were doing it! Once I signed up though, it became serious. I trained for the 5K like runners train for a marathon, working my way up to those 3.1 miles slowly over periods of weeks. When I woke up Saturday morning to a windy combination of rain, hail, and snow, I thought, “Really, Universe? How is this supposed to motivate me”? But strangely it did. I was determined to conquer this race. My friend Alissa, an experience half-marathon runner, set the pace and I followed even though I was huffing and puffing on the brink of collapse during our last half-mile sprint. But, I did it! I ran the race in under 30 minutes which was my goal and I felt awesome. Really awesome.
After we all crossed the finish line, gave high-fives, and took photos, we decided to celebrate with some bloody marys. We went to Victoire because it was the only bar in the neighborhood that was open at 11 am! Victoire specializes in Belgian beer and food. I had a great experience at Victoire, despite being a place where a celiac could potentially have NO gluten-free options, I had plenty. Not only do they carry Green’s Endeavor Dubbel Ale, a Belgian gluten-free beer, but three interesting cider options, and a Raspberry Kombucha Beer, which is made from hops, kombucha, and raspberries – therefore gluten-free. I had the latter on this occasion and while it was too sweet for me, I was just happy to have an interesting drink option at a beer bar. For food, I really wanted fries. Obviously, there was a slim chance of this being a possibility because of cross-contamination. However, I this to my server and she asked the chef who confirmed that the oil was new and I was able to enjoy their signature Belgian frites with different dipping sauces. Victoire was the perfect end to my first 5K experience: cosy atmosphere, delicious frites, and ample drink options.
Lucy’s Maple Bliss Cookies + Giveaway
Recently, Lucy’s Cookies emailed me and asked if I wanted to sample their Maple Bliss Cookies in honor of Maple Syrup Month. I grew up in a house where we ate my father’s from-scratch pancakes every weekend, and one of my favorite things in the world is a warm pancake slathered with butter, covered with real, pure, maple syrup. So of course, I couldn’t refuse!
Lucy Gibney founded Lucy’s Cookies after discovering her son had severe food allergies. All of her cookies are gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, tree nut and peanut-free. They are made in a dedicated bakery where trace amounts of these common allergens are tested for. Not only is this great for individuals with multiple allergies, but multiple allergies within a household.
I’ve had Lucy’s cookies once before. This past December, my friend served Lucy’s special holiday Merry Mint Cookies at a book club. I found them light but with a huge punch of flavor. Everyone else did too. These Maple Bliss Cookies are also light and crunchy which is driven by the oat-based ingredients (all gluten-free, of course). This cookie is sightly sweet and the maple flavor is present but not pronounced. The cookie actually captures the buttery-sweetness of a properly dressed pancake. I like this, but if you are looking to indulge at the end of the meal, this is not the cookie for you. Instead, this cookie is best enjoyed in the afternoon with a glass of milk.
Luckily, I am not the only one benefiting from Lucy’s Cookies generosity. I have an extra box to give away to a reader. Comment on this post by April 17 with your favorite way to enjoy maple syrup, and I will randomly select a winner!
Gluten-Free News: April 2013
Rochester News
A new natural foods co-op, Fresh Roots, will open this Spring in Ontario. The co-op will feature gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, organic, local, and non-GMO products. There will be a kitchen available for gluten-free get-togethers. Both members and the public will be able to shop their, but members will have additional benefits. Membership costs a one-time fee of $250. Keep up with them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/freshrootscoop.
Rochester Events
Rosario Pino’s is hosting a gluten-free tasting night on April 25 at their East Rochester store. More information here.
Wegmans at 2157 Penfield Road is hosting a Gluten-Free Health Fair on April 13 from 11 am – 2 pm.
Rochester Celiac Support Group April Meeting on April 16 at 7 pm: How to Develop a Gluten-Free Recipe with Brittany Angell. More information here.
Gluten-Free in the News
“Facing Legal Pressure, More Colleges Provide Gluten-free Food Options.” 3/29/2013 Celiac.com
“Gluten-Free Grocery Store Enforces $5 Cover Charge For People Who Are ‘Just Looking’” 3/27/2013 Foodbeast.com
“One Grain More’ viral video — by gluten-free composer identifying with ‘Les Miserables’” 3/28/2013 Whateverblog.dallasnew.com
“Expert’s Picks: 7 Gluten-Free Beers” 3/14/2013 Washingtonian
“Utah company seeks funds for gluten-free culinary institute” 3/14/2013 The Salt Lake Tribune