Category Archives: Resources

Will You Be My Gluten Free Valentine?

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A cynical co-worker once confessed to me that his favorite holiday was Valentine’s Day.  He said that despite the consumerism associate with this hallmark holiday, at the core, V-Day celebrates love, the most worthy of all things to celebrate. I have to confess my heart melted when he told me this and I’ve been a big fan of February 14th ever since.

This year, I hosted a valentines crafting party and brunch with my girlfriends.  After blood-orange mimosas and an assortment of food, we got creative and made valentines for our loved ones, ranging from sweet to sexy.  I would post a photo of my valentine to Alex, but then it wouldn’t be a surprise, so you’ll just have to wait to see how I incorporated menswear into the holiday.

As for the day-of, most of the time Alex and I celebrate by enjoying a romantic dinner, although one year we mixed it up with a Bacon and Bourbon Expo.  For our first Valentine’s day in Rochester, we made reservations at Edibles on University Avenue.  Edibles accommodates both vegetarian and gluten free diets by having separate menus available.

If you are still looking for a way to express your love this Thursday, here are some ideas that are romantic and gluten free!

 

 

 

 

Gluten Free News: January 2013

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Happy New Year!

Alex and I celebrated our first Christmas in our new home this year, and then jetted off to Jackson Hole, Wyoming to spend time with his family and do some winter sports.  We came back to a snowy Rochester on Thursday and I am just starting to feel recovered from the holiday excitement.  So, apologies for the delay in reporting this month’s GF news!

Rochester News

Former Greater Rochester Celiac Support Group President, Kathy Oaks, is featured in the Democrat and Chronicle for overcoming the challenge of gluten free baking. click here for article

Mark Makovec, Wegmans’ Executive Chef, predicts Wegmans will do more for special dietary needs like gluten free in 2013.  click here for article.

Rochester Events

Greater Rochester Celiac Support Group Monthly Meeting: Nutrition and the Gluten-Free Diet. more information here

Gluten-Free and Vegetarian Cooking Class at Rosario Pino’s: March 11 6-8 pm, sign up here.

Webinar: “It’s Not Just Food Anymore: An Update on Gluten Free Alcoholic Beverage Labeling.” January 22: sign up here.

Gluten Free in the News

“A Look Behind Chuck E. Cheese Gluten Free Rollout”  1/9/2013 Restaurant News

“Justice Department Agrees to Gluten Free Food Choices” 1/9/2013 Boston Globe

“Dunkin Donuts Piloting Gluten Free Baked Goods” 12/28/2012 National Foundation for Celiac Awareness

“Dr. Schar Sponsores and Serves up the World’s Largest Gluten Free Pizza” 12/14/2012 Marketwatch

Gluten Free Gift Guide

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The Holiday season includes not only one gift-giving occasion for my family, but three.  Alex’s birthday falls at the end of November and my birthday is the first day of Winter, December, 21.  You don’t have to remind me that this is also four days before Christmas.  I know.  My family was always good about separating the two, but inevitably, my birthday has always become wrapped up in the Christmas frenzy.  That’s okay with me.  I enjoy seeing lights on houses and having a tree and getting those warm, fuzzy, feelings that are associated with this time of year on my birthday, it’s special.

I cherish the tradition of gift giving.  It is something I look forward to every year.  While I relish in thinking of the perfect present for my sister, mom, dad, husband, dog etc, I realize that some people dread it and may leave it to the last minute.  To ease their pain, I’ve come up with a gift guide for the celiac or gluten-intolerant person in their life.

2012 Gluten Free Gift Guide

Gluten free cookbooks – This is especially good for the newly diagnosed because they aren’t able to rely on some of their go-to meals anymore but they are still great for experienced people because everyone needs a little inspiration in the kitchen.  Two of my favorites are:
Gluten Free Girl and the Chef by Shauna James Ahern and Daniel Ahern
Gluten-Free Baking by Rebecca Reilly

Baking Supplies – Gluten free baking is touchier than baking with wheat flour and this requires some potentially knew kitchen equipment such as:
A Food Scale for measuring precisely (I like this one because it’s red and festive).
A Silicone Baking Mat to keep dough from sticking.

Toaster/toaster oven – Toasters and their cousins, toaster ovens, are some of the worst culprits for cross contamination.  If the whole family isn’t gluten free all of the time, gluten in the form of bread crumbs get stuck in these devices and contaminates the gluten free items.  Also, gluten free sandwich bread tends to taste better toasted. You don’t have to get fancy here either, just make sure its dedicated to be gluten free.

Gluten free cooking/baking class – This is a fun way to do something that’s necessary, learn to eat gluten free.  Rosario Pino’s in East Rochester has a class in March, Wegmans usually has them, and hopefully I’ll be hosting another one soon!  If you want to make a weekend out of it, check out New York City, the Natural Gourmet Institute has classes coming up.

Gluten free restaurant gift certificate – Being gluten free often means eating at home.  Take your loved one on a night on the town at their favorite, trusted, GF spot.  Make sure though, that the restaurant knows you are coming when you do go, so that they are prepared.

Good luck gifting and Happy Holidays!

Gluten Free News: October 2012

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Rochester News

Bazil Now Serves Gluten Free Pizza – from their email: “In honor of National Pizza Month, Chef Griffin has added another option for our Gluten Free guests; fresh baked pizza!  And keep an eye out for our new expanded Gluten Free menu rolling out soon! “

Donna Marie’s at Strong Memorial Hospital -All of Finger Lake Roasters three locations at Strong Memorial Hospital will now carry Donna Marie’s Gluten Free Bakery goods.

Amazon Deal for GF Goods – Amazon Local Deals is offering a $14 coupon for $7 at the Abundance Cooperative Market until Thursday, 10/4.  Abundance Co-Op carries many gluten free items.

Rochester Events

Greater Rochester Celiac Disease Support Group Family Picnic – potluck dinner hosted by the RCSG on October 16 from 7-9 pm at St. Anne Church 1600 Mt. Hope Ave.  Contact Caitlin Sexton, vicepresident@rochesterceliacs.org to RSVP.

Living Gluten Free with Perinton Wegmans – Perinton Wegmans is hosting a gluten free fun filled event with GF samples, nutritionist on hand, and a raffle for GF goodies, October 27 from 11-3.  More details here.

Wegmans Organic Farm Tour – Take a 2 hour tour of Wegmans organic farm in Canandaigua.  October 2 at 2 pm and October 6 at 9 am.  More details here.

GF in the News

“Food Informants: A Week in the Life of Eric Brenner- Chef of gluten free BOLD Organics” – Huffington Post

“SPINS: Annual Gluten Free Sales Reach $12.4 billion”  celiaccentral.org

“Gluten-Free diet: Should you try it” Toronto Star

“Umami’s Burgers Gluten Free Loco Moco Uses Rice Cakes Instead of Brioche Buns” Huffington Post

“Gluten Freedom: Portland is now a tasty hotbed for gluten free eating” oregonlive.com

 

 

Gluten Free Friendly Coupon Book

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disclosure: I am a member of the Greater Rochester Celiac Support Group and was asked to write an article about this.  I happily accepted!

I have to admit, I didn’t know what a coupon book was when Erin Noel, the President of the Greater Rochester Celiac Support group told me about theirs.  She went on, “you know the ones that kids sell as fundraisers for school?”  Nope, we only sold wrapping paper and magazines for the carrot of receiving these stupid cotton balls with googly-eyes called weebles.

In any case, I was intrigued.  I, like most people, like to save money and like to eat out.  Having celiac disease sometimes complicates the latter, which means finding coupons for restaurants you know are safe can be challenging.  The Greater Rochester Celiac Support Group has put together a Restaurant Coupon Book that features coupons for restaurants that are known to be gluten free friendly.  This way, gluten free folks can save money and eat out at the same time.

These books have hundreds of dollars in savings for 25 area restaurants and eateries.  Some of my favorite restaurants included are Colie’s Cafe, Abbott’s, The Beale, and Donna Marie’s Gluten Free Bakery.   Last night, Alex and I ate at Bill Gray’s because I saw that we had a coupon; I otherwise would not have suspected this burger joint to be very gluten free friendly.  I was able to eat fries, and the cheeseburger sans bun.  It wasn’t glamorous, but it did the trick.  I am excited to try out other restaurants like Nick’s and Aja Noodle Co. that have gluten-free offerings and now I have an excuse to – to use up my coupons!

The Restaurant Coupon Book costs $20 and benefits the Greater Rochester Celiac Support Group.  You can purchase them online, or at events like the upcoming Making Tracks for Celiacs Walk this Saturday, September 22.