Posts tagged ‘holidays’
5 Resources to Tackle Gluten-Free Roadblocks
The gluten-free diet requires lifelong commitment, which means you’ll likely face a number of curveballs. Fortunately, with the right resources and plenty of support from family and friends, you can take on anything that life throws.
Here are 5 scenarios you may encounter while living gluten-free, and 5 resources from NFCA to help you through:
1. When You Have a Question About Nutrition…
Get Answers from a Dietitian. NFCA’s popular Q&A blog invites you to submit your general questions about nutrition and the gluten-free diet. Not sure which foods to eat when you want more Vitamin D, or how you can gain weight without loading up on sugary gluten-free junk? Ask away!
2. When You’re Struggling in the Kitchen…
Watch Alternative Appetites. Chef Dan Kohler takes you step-by-step through gluten-free recipes. And these aren’t just stir-fries. You’ll learn how to make things like Amaranth and Black Bean Salad or Roasted Garlic White Bean dip from scratch.
3. When Your Grocery List is Getting Dull…
Browse Gluten-Free Hot Products. Our team of staff and volunteers test the latest gluten-free products to hit shelves, including some gems you can only find online. Take a look and find a new favorite to perk up your pantry.
4. When You’re Heading to College…
Read GREAT U. You grew up with a supportive family and rarely had to worry about what to eat. Now, you’ll be on your own and on the hunt for gluten-free options. Flip through this digital magazine for quick gluten-free recipes, tips from real gluten-free college students, and advice on navigating the dining hall.
5. When Your Non-Gluten-Free Friend Wants to Cook You a Meal…
Download Entertaining Gluten-Free Guests. If your friend is new to gluten-free, this guide can get him or her started in the right direction. Offer to help your friend prepare each dish. That way, you can ensure that the food is safe while giving your friend a 1-on-1 course in gluten-free.
Gluten-Free Passover Facts and Tips
By Annsley Klehr
Passover is a time of remembering the past and celebrating the fact that we Jews are no longer slaves in Egypt. The lengthy dinner we have is called a Seder, which means order. We follow this order using a Hagaddah, which guides us in the order of the 15 different holiday rituals.
Then we spend the next 8 days trying to remember what it was like by removing leavened bread from our diets, because the slaves did not have enough time to wait for their bread to rise in the ovens before running for freedom. That’s why we eat matzah, an unleavened, cracker-like bread. Needless to say, unleavened bread is still made from wheat and is not gluten-free.
But don’t worry! There is now excellent gluten-free matzah on the market and well as many gluten-free products this time of year!
Facts and Tips for a Gluten-Free Passover
Fact #1: Some Jews also avoid rice, corn, peanuts, legumes, and pulses, since they could be grown in the same fields as the wheat and have a risk for cross-contamination. (This rule really depends on the person and how closely he/she follows Jewish Law).
Tip #1: Choose how strictly you want to keep a Passover diet. Passover is a time for celebration and remembrance, but you also never want to compromise your health. I choose to eat rice, corn, peanuts, and legumes on Passover.
My daughter loves gluten-free matzah.
Fact #2: There is another group of strictly Orthodox Jews who do not eat “gebrochts,” which is Yiddish for “broken.” That means that they avoid any matzah (wheat) product that has come into contact with liquid after it has been baked.
Tip #2: Since gebrochts technically refers to wheat-based products, then “non-gebrochts” means products that do not contain wheat. Look for this statement on packaged goods and you will know that they are not only wheat-free, but also produced in a wheat-free facility, due to the strict nature of Passover laws.
And so do I!
Fact #3: According to KosherConsumer.org, for a product to be qualified as “kosher for Passover” it must be free of “Wheat – all classes, Barley, Spelt, Rye, Oats, Legumes & rice or any derivative of theirs.” (Matzah is an exception because it is unleavened.) In addition, there is a strict sterilization process for any equipment used to manufacture “kosher for Passover” products.
Tip #3: The kosher for Passover facilities are extremely careful with grains, so I often stock up on gluten-free products for the rest of the year:
- chocolate bars
- cocoa powder
- potato starch
- baking mixes for cakes and cookies
- gluten-free/non-gebrochts matzah and matzah crackers
Note: Not all products follow the strict Orthodox traditions. Therefore, some products for Passover are made in facilities that also process wheat. Read labels carefully.
One of my latest gluten-free Passover finds!
Passover is my favorite holiday. It’s a chance for friends and family to get a little “taste” of what it’s like to be gluten-free. It’s also a great time to invite friends and family to join you in celebration, or to experience another culture while sharing a stress-free and gluten-free environment. Just don’t forget your gluten-free matzah!
Happy Passover!
Read more from Annsley, including a personal story about Passover, on her website: Gluten Freedoms LLC
About Annsley
Annsley Klehr is the owner of Gluten Freedoms, LLC, a gluten-free coaching and consulting business.
When You Can’t Do It All
Dear Friends of NFCA,
I get asked a lot, How do you do it all? How do you run an organization, take care of your family, cook, and live a balanced life without pulling out your hair? The answer is that I don’t do it all. I make mistakes, but I try to learn from my mistakes. And there are times when the ball does get dropped.
Our amazing team!
Our family recently moved. And, let me tell you, our holiday was a bit chaotic. I didn’t get any exercise for weeks on end. But my wonderful staff picked up the pieces in the office. Thank you Cheryl, Jennifer, Nancy, Kristin, Whitney, Sue and Beckee.
I wanted to write a holiday blog post, but I honestly could not get my act together. On the bright side, I knew that it wasn’t the end of the world and that you would all understand. No one is perfect. We all do the best that we can, and my family needed my time and attention. And I needed to unpack and organize my belongings. Thank you, team NFCA!
– Alice
A Gluten-Free Holiday Treat, No Baking Required
I’m always prepared to bring an appetizer, salad or main dish to social gatherings and holiday functions. Like many with celiac disease, I quickly learned that if I wanted to eat a safe gluten-free meal, it was up to me to tote along at least one item I knew I could eat.
But dessert? Despite my sweet tooth, more often than not I have opted to forgo dessert simply because baking and I are not friends. So fruit has served as my go-to pick, and the nutritional benefits are always a plus. Alas, sometimes a fruit salad, no matter how fresh the ingredients, just won’t cut it. This Christmas, I wanted to join my family at the dessert table with something more substantial than pineapple and berries, even if topped with whipped cream.
Enter these no-bake coconut balls.
Gluten-Free No Bake Coconut Balls
I’m sure you can guess that a recipe with minimal ingredients and without an actual “baking” process were both requirements. Fortunately, I stumbled across this simple recipe while performing the perfunctory Google search: No Bake Coconut Balls
The recipe called for nut butter plus chocolate chips or nuts of your choosing, but I opted for a combination of the two. My secret ingredient? Justin’s Nut Butter. This brand has been a pantry staple of mine for the past 2 years so I knew that their Chocolate Peanut Butter flavor was delicious. (If you are not already familiar with their line of nut butters, please head to your local grocery store immediately).
All you need for a delicious gluten-free dessert.
Not only did they fulfill my sweet tooth, but my family was impressed too. Who said you need flour to “bake” Christmas cookies?
– Kristin
Related Content:
Tips for Traveling Gluten-Free By Plane, Train and Automobile
[NFCA volunteer Annsley is back with more gluten-free holiday tips. This time, she explains how to prepare for travel when gluten-free food may be limited.]
We all know what it’s like to be in a packing frenzy less than 12 hours before your trip. My favorite holiday flick is “Home Alone,” when the family is packing up a gaggle of people and things, and then of course comes the missing headcount when Macaulay Culkin gets left behind.
In all my packing frenzy, I have yet to forget my daughter. However, I will never forget my honeymoon to New Zealand, land of beauty, tranquility, and cars that drive on the “other” side of the road. My newlywed husband and I were shutting the door to our apartment and locking it as he turned to me and said, “I don’t have my driver’s license.” What I interpreted from him, “I haven’t seen my driver’s license in 3 weeks since we took that trip to Savannah.” Did I mention that I’d already been having nightmares about driving on the other side of the road or that you cannot drive a car in another country with just your passport? So started the beginning of our marriage and my new career as a chauffer. (In these past 4 years, he hasn’t lost his driver’s license again – just his passport!)
Annsley Klehr
These days, most of the packing falls to me: Did I remember my contacts, my phone charger, the baby’s wipes, diapers, and my underwear?! And of course, we’ve all made it halfway to our destination when we remember exactly what it was we could not put our finger on – my daughter’s pajamas – and we still have a good time.
But wait! Ever since being diagnosed with celiac disease, I have to remember the cooler, too! It always seemed enough to worry about my suitcase, but now traveling gluten-free has added a bit of extra packing stress to my life. To combat the frenetic packing zone I get in, I have a few helpful hints that get me traveling and still feeling good with relatively few hassles.
By Plane
I almost always get stopped going through security. Once my unopened jar of peanut butter was confiscated for being a liquid. Yep, that’s right! My unopened can of tuna got the same bad rap. I have now learned a few tricks of the trade to make it through the security checkpoint without losing a thing, even if it is as liquid. I pack for both my daughter and myself the night before the trip:
1. Carry a doctor’s note with you. Make several color copies of it (so you have the real deal safe at home), and laminate them so that you have several copies to save and with which to travel. Whenever security stops you, just pull it out. If you don’t have one, write your own little card explaining your dietary issues.
2. Carry a travel-size cooler with an arm strap. To manage my load, I consider this my personal item, and then I usually take a backpack so my hands are free to grab my daughter.
3. Ice packs – I always put all my food in a cooler with an ice pack. If you’re nervous about an ice pack, you can use those plastic re-useable ice cubes and fit them in a snack size zip-lock baggy. It’s less than 2 oz., so you don’t have to worry.
4. Stash good snacks in the cooler. I pre-bag all snacks in little bags or small plastic tupperware containers. They come in handy later in the trip. This is a good way to empty your fridge before leaving, so I just fill the cooler with what we have on hand.
- Sandwich – I usually will make some sort of gluten-free sandwich or two to carry on. That way, I don’t travel with that jar of peanut butter.
- Baby Bonbel individually wrapped cheese or string cheese. Cracker Barrel has prepackaged cheeses, too.
- Fruit – grapes, clementines, apples
- Gluten-free pretzels – I put these in a little reusable sandwich bag. Glutino makes some good ones.
- Crackers – We like Back to Nature brand.
- Trail Mix – Enjoy Life makes several kinds. Sometimes, I mix my own with gluten-free pretzels, seeds, nuts, raisins, and cranberries.
- Gluten-free muffins – I often bake up what’s in my house, take some with me and freeze the rest.
- Raw veggies – carrots, cucumbers, celery, baby tomatoes
- Yogurt – either the individual cups, I put some in a little container.
- A treat – Kinnikinnick makes excellent graham crackers, but use what you’d like. Plan to pack extra. See #8.
5. Plastic Utensils – I try to keep a knife, fork, spoon, and napkins always in the cooler pocket. That way I never forget, and if they break or I lose one we can always pick up more in the airport.
6. Baby Wipes – These are great for cleaning up messes.
7. Extra Ziploc bags – I use them for trash or repacking opened items, but if you forget, you can always use the barf bag on the airplane as long as you don’t get motion sick!
8. A special kid’s snack for the snack cart or, in my case, bribery – It became clear that my cute, boisterous, and obstinate daughter refused to put her seatbelt on and sit in her seat at take off. To settle her down, the flight attendant offered her animal crackers with gluten. Yikes! I have since learned to carry my own treat to sneak to the flight attendant in such instances. This can also be used when the drink and snack cart gets pushed around, too.
By Train or Car
1. Bring a cooler, but a larger one than the one used for the plane. Use the tips above to think of good food ideas. Make sure to pack it all up the night before and leave the food in containers in the fridge until just before heading out.
Buy some ice.
2. Bring non-perishables, too – I usually pack a grocery bag full of gluten-free bread, peanut butter (or whatever you can eat), jelly and canned tuna, along with a can-opener, plastic utensils, napkins, wipes, etc. That way, if we have to stop and there’s nothing around, I have my own little dining stash.
3. Carry a dining card with you at all times that specifies what you can and cannot eat. I like to give this to the chefs in restaurants when I go out; it makes my life so much easier.
4. Research your route and find acceptable dining locations and groceries – To this day, I use the old-fashioned map. I put dots on it along our route so I know where it’s safe to stop and sometimes the hours they’re open. We often drive late at night.
Packing ahead of time and cleaning out the refrigerator before I go really helps me in terms of time management and maintaining a low anxiety level. No matter how delayed we are or how often the car breaks down, I am always well prepared. Happy, healthy, and safe travels over this holiday season!
– Annsley Klehr
Gluten Freedoms, LLC
Related Content:
Holiday Giving: What’s Your Approach?
It’s a season of giving and the time of year many of us line up fundraising appeals from various organizations and begin deliberations of who to support this year.
I find philanthropic psychology to be a fascinating topic, and I love to learn about the ways in which different families and cultures approach giving.
I’ll share mine.
My grandmother would send an $18 check to any organization that sent her an appeal. (For those curious about the 18 denomination…it’s Jewish thing. The Hebrew numerals for the number 18 are the same characters that make up the word life, so it’s good luck to give in denominations of 18.) I didn’t know this until I was in my 20s and already working for a nonprofit. I hoped that she would be so proud of my accomplishments that she might even send $180! Alas, two weeks later came our check for $18.
NFCA - A small but mighty force!
In general, I personally prefer to send more dollars to fewer organizations, but my giving does mirror my grandmother’s in one way. I give $18 to anyone who knocks on my door. Ok, well anyone who represents a cause that I don’t find objectionable. Also, every Chanukah, we light a candle for others and, instead of a gift, I provide a blank $18 check to each of my girls (and any guest joining us that evening), and I let them pick an organization to give to this year.
When I started working for NFCA, my daughter had been diagnosed with celiac disease only 4 months. I knew that celiac disease would be something I would care about for the rest of my life, but, at the time, I didn’t realize that I would actually be working for an extremely compelling cause. You’ve heard the facts before: 95% undiagnosed. A direct social cost of at least $14 billion per year in critical healthcare dollars. The lack of research on the disease and its spectrum. The personal devastation undiagnosed celiac disease can cause for entire families. I could go on and on.
I understand why celiac disease is a niche cause among healthcare givers. When I talk to people about the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness, I often get blank stares from those not connected to “the tribe.”
“You know…the gluten-free disease.” Recognition. “Really? That’s connected to a medical problem?”
We have a lot of work to do.
I’ll be honest with you, we need your help. We realize that gluten-free food is expensive. And that NFCA looks snazzy with blogs and webinars and cooking videos. But we are a small organization with a very loud roar. Really. Check out how few people there actually are running our programs. And they’re working really hard.
NFCA is among the organizations I choose to support with my charitable dollars. If you’re reading our staff blog and have had the patience to read all 479 words thus far, you are clearly interested in what NFCA is accomplishing everyday.
Please donate today. And in the process, think of my story and how your own personal history has influenced your decision to do so.
– Jennifer
Rollin’ into the Holiday Season
[As you know, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness staff members are big Phillies fans. So when one of our volunteers, Nadina Fraimow, told us she shared the same passion for sports, wellness and all things Phillies, we had to get her on board. Nadina will be sharing her gluten-free experiences as she follows the Phillies year-round.]
Rollin’ into the holiday season
A Phightin’ to Be Gluten-Free Blog
The end of the year is a time to evaluate results, existing players and their performance. Organizations strive to reach goals, college students prepare for final class exams and Phillies management continues to negotiate with players. The latest buzz to reach media channels follows the potential deal to re-sign shortstop Jimmy Rollins. Only time will tell if the Phillies will be Rollin’ into the holiday season with him on the team.
December is an exciting time for my family team, as we also roll into the holiday season. When we get together, there is always a kitchen stocked with delicious gluten-free sweets, snacks and meals. We whip up favorite recipes, create new concoctions and document the All-Stars. My secret is to introduce festive ingredients, including cinnamon, pumpkin butter and cranberries, into all types of dishes. Plus, the sweet aromas stick around longer than the food on the plate!
Below is a new restaurant dish review on the following baseball-inspired scale:
Single– Fair
Double– Good
Triple– Very good
Home Run– Must try
Grand Slam– Sublime
Herb braised Skate, cherry tomatoes, white wine over rosemary roasted potatoes at Melograno- Home Run
Herb braised skate at Melograno
Overview: A must try, one-of-a-kind herb braised skate completed a delicious meal.
The Scene: It was a special celebration at Melograno. As the Phillies management continued negotiations, we enjoyed the lively and cozy ambience of the BYOB.
Safe Dining: At Melograno, the chefs in the kitchen are educated in gluten-free dining. Melograno has completed gluten-free training through NFCA’s Gluten Free Resource Education and Awareness Training (GREAT) Kitchens program. [See more GREAT Kitchens.]
Presentation: The herb braised skate was plated over baby roasted potatoes, topped with cherry tomatoes and surrounded by cooked oils and white wine. The crisp, golden-brown sear showcased braising technique from searing in the kitchen. A glistening plate of liquids seeped into the tomatoes and roasted potatoes, which enhanced color and texture. (Note: I ordered baby roasted rosemary potatoes to replace potato puree on the menu.)
Taste: The herb braised skate is cooked for enjoyment! The sear locked in the Mediterranean seasoning, wine, oils and the slow braise developed the rich flavors. For other first time skate eaters, the texture of the fish resembled braised brisket. Similar to brisket, the layers pull apart easily in a stringy formation. The juicy tomatoes and crisp baby potatoes soaked in flavors on the plate accompanied each tender bite of skate.
Result: The one-of-a kind herb braised skate and complementary vegetables are a great way to start rollin’ into the holiday season with friends and family. (Tip: Be creative when dining out and inquire about tasty, gluten-free recommendations from the chefs).
Everyone have a happy, healthy gluten-free holiday season! Stay tuned for new restaurant and product reviews to enjoy during the baseball off-season. Be-Lee-ve it — Spring training is just a few months away!
– Nadina
About Nadina:
Nadina Fraimow began volunteering with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) in April 2011, and will be happy to answer messages sent to the info@celiaccentral.org email account. Nadina learned that she has gluten sensitivity in February 2011, and is grateful for having been diagnosed promptly and correctly by a knowledgeable gastroenterologist. She enjoys running, shopping for gluten-free sweets and creating recipes that are both tasty and healthy. Nadina is a Marketing and Communications professional living and working in Philadelphia. Nadina is also a proud Penn State alumna and an avid fan of the Phillies.
Gluten-Free Thanksgiving Tips: 3 Scenarios
[We’ve been on the hunt for the best gluten-free holiday tips. Naturally, we asked NFCA volunteer Annsley to share her advice. Here’s how she stays gluten-free at Thanksgiving, no matter what’s on the table.]
Autumn is one of my favorite times of year because it speaks to cool, crisp air, falling leaves, harvests, family gatherings, and lots of food. This all sounds great! Then the reality of the situation hits; my imagination runs wild and I see a playground for gluten: The slide is a big wet lasagna noodle, the swings seats are plump, cushy pumpkin muffins, the dirt is stuffing giving way under the shuffle of feet as animals, adults, and kids slurp and slide all over, smearing gluten from one play structure to the next.
Then the chilly fall air blows across my face and I’m back to reality – gobs of friends and family hovering over the food, fingers picking, serving spoons jumping from one platter to the next. . . This could end up as a regular old disaster, but I then I take hold of my imagination and decide to control the situation with ORDER.
Tips for Thanksgiving when you have TOTAL control:
- If it’s up to you, make all dishes gluten-free. That way, you’ll have no cross-contamination issues!
Tips for Thanksgiving when you have PARTIAL control:
- Make sure there are some gluten-free dishes that are available to you.
- Ask to be the first one served and/or make your own plate before all the guests are served. Take enough for seconds, because once the dishes are touched by others, it could be a slippery slope.
- Set the gluten-free dishes on a separate table or a separate section on the table. They should be the first dishes in the line-up.
- If you’re feeling brave, make a little note next to the gluten-free dishes that says:
This dish is gluten-free and may become contaminated if brought into contact with other dishes. Please use only this serving spoon with it.
Tips for Thanksgiving when you have ZERO control:
- Bring your own food.
- Put your food on one of the plates that everyone else has and bring it out to your place when everyone else sits down to eat.
– Annsley Klehr
Gluten Freedoms, LLC
More from Annsley:
Gluten-Free Halloween: Are You Prepared?
I always start thinking about Halloween in August, then completely forget about it until – “Trick-or-Treat!” – it’s right at my doorstep. I cobble together a costume from whatever’s in my closet, and grab a quick bag of candy in hopes that kids will come, but not so many that I run out of supplies.
Annsley Klehr
I could take a few pointers from our volunteer, Annsley. In her latest article, she offers some tips for making trick-or-treating a fun, not frustrating, experience:
- Establish a plan way before heading out to trick-or-treat. This is even more effective when you and your child can establish a plan together.
- Communicate the plan before trick-or-treating and explain why. Kids do better when they understand the reason. I always tell my daughter that X will make you very sick, and that seems to work.
For more of her tips, check out her How to Embrace Gluten-Free Halloween in the new Articles section on Kids Central. While you’re there, download the Gluten-Free Candy List 2011 from the Guides section and browse around to see all that Kids Central has to offer (www.CeliacCentral.org/kids).
Other helpful articles:
Staying in Command
[As you know, the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness staff members are big Phillies fans. So when one of our newest volunteers, Nadina Fraimow, told us she shared the same passion for sports, wellness and all things Phillies, we had to get her on board. Nadina will be sharing her gluten-free experience throughout the 2011 Phillies season.]
Staying in Command
A Phightin’ to Be Gluten-Free Blog
Lee’s game is no longer about the comeback. He’s back and looking un-Be-LEE-vable! Last night, Philadelphians gave Cliff Lee a standing ovation as he flawlessly led the Phillies to a 5-0 victory against the Boston Red Sox and historically pitched his third consecutive complete game shutout.
This time, Lee brings with him three powerful C’s—curveballs, confidence and command. Pitching three consecutive shutouts is no easy feat, and Lee falls into the ranks of baseball Hall of Famers, including Grover Cleveland Alexander and Robin Roberts.
It has been an un-Be-LEE-vable month for Lee, as he also led the Phillies to a 4-0 victory against the St. Louis Cardinals last Wednesday night in his second consecutive game shutout. Lee was completely in command on the pitcher’s mound, when he allowed simply 6 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk and 3 strike outs.
For me, it’s no longer about being the comeback gal. I recently had two consecutive successful follow-up GI appointments. I too rely on my curveballs, confidence and command on my journey to a happy, healthy gluten-free life.
When Lee is in command, the pitch he throws is the pitch he intended to throw. Staying in command is a challenge worth Phightin’ for both Phillies fans and everyone who has food allergies or intolerances.
As Lee has so beautifully exemplified over his past three games, staying in command takes true grit and supportive teammates. Last night was no exception, for he had great offensive support from Dominic Brown and Shane Victorino as they scored two-run home runs. Let’s not forget Lee’s own RBI sacrifice fly that sent Dominic Brown home in the fifth inning.
Completely in command, I continue my restaurant, dish and product reviews, which are on the following baseball-inspired scale:
Single– Fair
Double– Good
Triple– Very good
Home Run– Must try
Grand Slam– Sublime
Double Rainbow Chocolate Sorbet- Double
A good gluten-free, dairy-free and soy-free summer dessert purchased from Trader Joe’s. It resembles the light consistency of water ice, but has richer dark chocolate flavor. The finish leaves a slight, but noticeable aftertaste.
The result: A dark chocolate calorie-friendly treat with great potential, if there was no aftertaste.
Recommendation: Pairs nicely with an assortment of fresh seasonal fruits. Serve this for a BBQ dessert or a beach day snack.
Note: For Trader Joe’s “No Gluten Ingredients” list, visit www.traderjoes.com/pdf/lists/list-no-gluten.pdf
Soyatoo! Rice Whip- Home Run
A must-try vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and cholesterol-free condiment purchased from Whole Foods. It’s soft and fluffy, with just enough firmness to hold a swirl. Both the lightness and hint of sweetness nicely absorb the textures and flavors from other foods. However, preparation time is needed to get the optimal results. As noted on the container, store upside down in fridge and sit out for 10-15 minutes prior to eating.
The result: Looks exactly like dairy whipped cream, and tastes even better. Follow instructions on container prior to use – it is worth the wait.
Recommendation: Delicious finish on top of baked goods, sorbet sundaes, and pairs nicely with fresh seasonal fruits. Can prepare on July 4th with fresh berries for a sweet and patriotic treat!
www.soyatoo.de/us/our-products/
Santa Cruz Chocolate Flavored Syrup- Triple
A very good organic and gluten-free labeled chocolate syrup purchased from Whole Foods. The sweet and dark chocolate flavor can stand on its own or be a supportive ingredient in a sundae. The container is microwavable for a warm alternative to the classic chocolate syrup.
The result: Definitely for dark chocolate lovers, but can be drizzled over desserts for all to enjoy. Thick texture makes it difficult for chocolate syrup to ooze out of container.
Recommendation: Place upside down for a few minutes prior to use. Though microwavable option is nice, it tastes best at refrigerator temperature. An extra oomph of chocolate sweetness that can be added to any July 4th holiday treat. http://www.scojuice.com/products/dessert_toppings/chocolate_syrup
Sautéed flounder in olive oil with roasted baby potatoes and baby peas at Oyster House- Grand Slam
A sublime dish, and one that I look forward to replicating in my kitchen. The perfect portion of fresh fish was executed with just the right amount of olive oil and seasoning. My favorite fish dishes are cooked with a slightly crisped top and moist inside and this sautéed flounder was no exception. The flounder was surrounded by soft and well-seasoned roasted baby potatoes with baby peas. Note: This was the chef’s gluten-free alternative to sautéed flounder on menu.
The result: A balance of beautifully cooked fish, paired with pleasantly cooked vegetables. The different levels of soft textures on the plate complement each other from the juiciness of the fish, the softness of the potatoes and the mushiness from the peas.
A Grand Slam! Sautéed Flounder at Oyster House
The scene: A double date at the Oyster House on Saturday night. As the Phillies were losing against the Oakland Athletics, we were enjoying a meal that one of the diners in our party said tasted fresh from the ocean. In fact, the Oyster House changes its menus daily based on the freshest fish. Since there is no gluten-free menu, I made sure to clearly articulate my food sensitivities and inquire about dish ingredients. Our table started with an assortment of fresh oysters and then each ordered our own entrée. To my excitement, the chefs were able to adjust a few ingredients and maintain the integrity of the sautéed flounder on the menu.
oysterhousephilly.com
Fresh roasted turkey on top of romaine lettuce at Main Line Pizza- Double
A good dish, and one that I have replicated in my kitchen. The fresh roasted turkey is plainly seasoned, extremely fresh and properly prepared. Each hand sliced piece of turkey was cool, moist and paired nicely with the soft crunch from the romaine lettuce. Note: This was a quick on-the-go alternative to the Romaine Turkey Wrap on the gluten-free menu.
The result: A healthy, easy lunch cooked to just the right tenderness. Simple flavors, simply cooked well. At Main Line Pizza, you can eat this as a lettuce wrap or on gluten-free bread.
The scene: A quick lunch with my sister and mom before a GI follow-up appointment last week. My sister is on a search to find the perfect gluten-free pizza, and we were happy to try Main Line Pizza with her. As the car pulled up to a spot off Lancaster Avenue, I first noticed an inviting sign that specified serving gluten-free pizzas and pasta. To my surprise, the owner explained his gluten-free training and his certificate from NFCA’s GREAT Kitchens program. My sister and mom loved their fresh gluten-free pizza with mushrooms, broccoli and fresh roasted pepper toppings. They even took an order of gluten-free spicy chicken wings to go, which they also thoroughly enjoyed.
www.mainlinepizza.com
June was a memorable month, as Lee made history and I made progress on my journey with support from my family team. We are back, we are in command, and we are Free to Be Gluten-Free!
– Nadina
*Learn more about gluten-free training through GREAT Kitchens.
*Celiac Awareness Night at the Phillies is sold out! Thank you all for supporting the cause. We’ll see you there!
About Nadina:
Nadina Fraimow began volunteering with the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) in April 2011, and will be happy to answer messages sent to the info@celiaccentral.org email account. Nadina learned that she has gluten sensitivity in February 2011, and is grateful for having been diagnosed promptly and correctly by a knowledgeable gastroenterologist. She enjoys running, shopping for gluten-free sweets and creating recipes that are both tasty and healthy. Nadina is a Marketing and Communications professional living and working in Philadelphia. Nadina is also a proud Penn State alumna and an avid fan of the Phillies.
Celiac Central: Bits and Bites 