Rumor is.....

Hey Gluten Free beer fans.  I heard a rumor that Dogfish Head Beer will be coming out with a new GF beer.  It's called Tweason'ale and should be available towards the end of January 2012.  I sent an email to Dogfish Head to get more info and will blog more soon.  In the meantime, check out this link for more info on this new brew.

http://www.dogfish.com/brews-spirits/the-brews/seasonal-brews/tweasonale.htm

Cheers!

Kettle Cuisine Gluten Free Soups

I have to tell you about the yummiest GF Chicken Soup (other than my Mum's) I can find in the grocery store.  The company is Kettle Cuisine and they offer quite a variety of different soups but I love their Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles.  They make their soups with all natural ingredients.  Real chicken, large rice noodles, carrots, celery and onion.  It really does taste home made.

http://www.kettlecuisine.com/content/soup-details/Chicken-Soup-with-Rice-Noodles/6.aspx

All of Kettle Cuisine's soups are GF and some are also vegan and dairy free.  They offer a number of soups including New England Clam Chowder, Angus Beef Steak Chili with Beans, and Tomato Soup with Garden Vegetables.

I found these soups at my local Shoprite in Wilmington, DE in the frozen GF food section.  Check with your local supermarket or health food store to see if they can stock them for you.

Trust me.  Once you try the Chicken Soup with Rice Noodles you will want to keep it stocked in your freezer all winter long.

Happy Holidays From Bonnie B

Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah and a Happy New Year.

A quick tip for enjoying a GF holiday.

If dining with family or friends ask the hostess/host what they are making.  If GF choices are limited then offer to bring a dish thats GF but everyone can enjoy.

Remember, if you have kids with Celiac Disease who like to leave cookies out for Santa, He will eat GF cookies too!

Happy Holidays!

BonnieB

Gluten Free Tips for Thanksgiving!!

Thanksgiving is just days away and it can be frustrating trying to come up with GF options especially if you are serving a large group.  Keeping it simple is the easiest way to accommodate everyone.  Yes, there will be a few item's that may not be for our GF belly's but we can still enjoy a bountiful Thanksgiving meal.


Here are a few tips to help guide you this holiday season:


1.  Purchase a turkey that is 100% GF.  Yes some manufactures use gluten when they process the turkey.  Check your ingredients on the packaging when buying your bird.


2.  Stuffing it can become pricey so you may want to just make a small amount to accommodate your GF guests.  Purchase two loaves of GF bread and substitute it for regular bread when making stuffing.  


http://www.celiac.com/articles/21941/1/Celiaccoms-Best-Ever-Gluten-free-Thanksgiving-Guide/Page1.html


Check out the above link which will take you to Celiac.com's Best Ever Gluten Free Thanksgiving Guide.  


3.  Remember there are plenty of GF deserts and goodies that everyone can enjoy.  


Shop natural products (most have no gluten).  A great Thanksgiving doesn't mean having to stress to make a great meal.  Be creative and best of all enjoy your holiday.


HAPPY TURKEY DAY TO ALL MY LOYAL FOLLOWERS AND THOSE WHO JUST STOP BY.

Great News From Seasons Pizza

Getting tired of going out for pizza?  Going out for GF pizza getting boring?  I received an email the other day from Season's Pizza.  They now offer GF entree's at their Route 202 location in Wilmington.  Choose from favorites like GF Lasagna, GF Chicken Parmigiana, even a GF Calzone.  Some of the entrées come with a side salad and a role.  Here's the link https://seasons-concord.foodtecsolutions.com/menu?category=Gluten+Free+Item
I will also post more once I have been and tasted these yummy dishes.

I Know....

It's been months since I last wrote my blog.  Ya'll must think of me as a failure to the Gluten Free Community.  But I haven't forgotten my loyal followers.  I've been out eating tasty GF goodies but just needed to find the time to write.

I have found this amazing little pizza place up in Kennett Square, PA.  Baretta's Pizza (739 W. Cypress St, Kennett Square, PA 610-925-5540).  They offer gluten free pizza, sandwiches made on GF bread and also  GF pasta entry's.  Delightful.  Oh the GF pizza (ham and onion) and the Roast Beef sandwich on GF bread are heavenly.

I have also come across a new GF line of goodies by a company called Schär (www.schar.com/us).  They make a full line of cookies, breads, pastas and so much more.  I love their sub rolls and sandwich bread, their spagetti and most recently their shortbread cookies.  OMG!!!  They're fantastic.  I ate almost a whole bag in one evening.

If you like beer as much as I do you can go out and have a GF beer at Two Stones Pub in Newark, DE which offers the choice of four different GF beers (3 beers were by Green's Gluten Free Beers, the Amber, Dubbel and the Tripel).  I love the Dubbel.

So I promise I will be writing more.  I am still on a mission to find great GF food at your local supermarkets and out at great eateries.

So in the words of the great Julia Childs, I say "Bon Appetit" and in the words of the great Bonnie Bleacher "DIG IN!"

Walmart Sells The Best Gluten Free Pasta!

They really, really do.  I have found the perfect GF pasta and I was shocked to find it at Walmart.  The company is Heartland http://www.heartlandpasta.com/products.asp?family=GF  and they offer many different types of pasta including spaghetti, fusilli, penne and lasagna which are made with corn and rice flours.

If cooked following the directions on the package you will have perfect pasta..  This pasta does not need to be rinsed and reheated, nor does it get mushy if you leave it overnight.   Right now you can get the spaghetti, fusilli and penne at Walmart.  The pasta comes in 12oz packages and cost $2.08 a bag.  This pasta is so good, anyone with or without gluten intolerance will enjoy it.

Ciao!

Tasty Lil' Treat

Let me tell you about a tasty little, totally GF treat.  I'm talking about the Almond Macaroons at Papa's Pastry Shop in Wilmington, DE.   Early yesterday morning, John and I decided to check out the pastry shop.  He had been there ton's of times but I didn't even know the place existed until a couple of months ago.

I was disappointed at first when I found out they only had some GF oatmeal raisin cookies but then the lady behind the counter said we do have these almond macaroons.

This is the first cookie I have eaten GF that actually tastes like the almond macaroons I remember eating growing up.  The same taste and texture.  They were so good.

The lady behind the counter told me they do most of the GF pastries by order only since the walk in demand isn't so great.   Here's a link to Papa's Pastries web site: http://www.papaspastry.com/Glutenfree.html

If you get a chance check out the Papa's and enjoy the selection of GF cookies, breads, muffins and much more.

I'm Back!!

It's been so long my dear readers but due to a few crazy things I was unable to write my Blog.  I apologize for deserting you but I am back.

Check back later this weekend.  I want to tell you about some fabulous GF almond macaroons I found at a local bakery in Wilmington and also about a great GF breakfast sandwich I found at another local cafe here in town.

Also, I have found a new GF beer that I am crazy about and I will have a GF recipe to share.

Happy Mothers Day!!

Bonnie B Gluten Free wishes all Mums, Moms, Mothers, Grandmothers, Step-Mothers and all the other Mothers out there a Happy Mothers Day!!

Now go eat some gluten free cake!!!

Breaking Down the Golden Arches

When I started to think about blogging GF options at McDonald's I thought it would be a piece of GF cake.  So I went to their website and looked for the nutritional information page http://nutrition.mcdonalds.com/nutritionexchange/ingredientslist.pdf and that's when things became a little more complicated.

I always thought you could have most of their sandwiches if you skipped the bun (of course no breaded sandwiches).  NO NO NO!!!  I thought I could have the Big Mac but I just found out that secret sauce contains gluten.  The Angus burger has seasoning which contains maltodextrin and it doesn't state from wheat or corn so I would hold off on ordering this burger no bun.

If ordering salads the only options are the side salad or the Premium Bacon Ranch salad without the chicken.  The dressings are Newman's Own brand and are all GF.  None of the current chicken patties, strips or nuggets are GF.

Unfortunately for now, stay away from those wonderful french fries.  No apple pies or cookies either.  If you want something sweet you can order the Apple Dippers with Caramel or the Fruit and Yogurt Parfait.  They are GOOD GF options.  So are the ice cream sundae's.  Just stay away from the candy toppings.

Most of McDonald's beverages are GF including the shakes and the McCafe coffee drinks.  The syrups used for flavoring are also GF.

As far as breakfast goes the sausage patties, bacon, scrambled eggs and the breakfast steak are GF along with the Canadian bacon.  NO hot cakes, McGriddles, McMuffins, etc.  All the buns contain gluten.

So that's the breakdown on McDonald's.   Yes, you will find some GF options but you will have to be creative.  Hmmm.  How about the beef patty with cheese over a side salad with a Fruit and Yogurt Parfait?   You know that doesn't sound too bad.

Entertained by the Queen

A great venue for some awesome music but nothing much to talk about on the menu. Honestly, I wasn't looking for a GF menu at this establishment. Just happy for some awesome acts and a nice Malbec!

Kelloggs Rice Crispies

Kelloggs now offers GF Rice Crispies. Check out their website for more info www.kelloggs.com.

It's Amazing......

...what a little email can do to help others.  Remember I sent that email to the GM of the Blue Rocks?  Well he forwarded it the GM of Centerplate, the company that runs the concessions and I have been asked if I would give my opinion on GF products and menu ideas for gluten intolerant fans to enjoy.  How cool is that.

Stay tuned for a new, updated GF menu for the Blue Rocks coming soon my dear readers.

Happy Sunday,

Bonnie B

Blue Rocks Update

I received a response to my email from the Blue Rocks General Manager, Chris Kemple. He said he would forward my concern to the people who run the concessions. That was about it.

I hope to hear back from the concessions people but I doubt I will. At least my email was read and I hope the next guest with gluten intolerance will have an easier time than I had.

Win For The Blue Rock, A Strike Out For Gluten Free Food

Last night was the home opener at the Wilmington Blue Rocks.  Everyone was having a great time but my GF food experience wasn't the home run I was expecting.

STRIKE ONE:  I decided to go get my Hot Dog Plate but found out that the concessions manager changed vendors and the GF plate wasn't available.   The manager did offer anything else on the menu complimentary but I was still disappointed that I couldn't get what was on the website.

STRIKE TWO:  Now I was on a mission to find the Red Bridge Beer.  I asked three different beer vendors if they had this beer.  Two said no but the third said she would ask and to wait a minute.  She returned shortly to tell me they never received the order in time for the game.

STRIKE THREE:  At this point I was so bummed that I decided I wasn't even going to pursue finding the Rice Crispy Treat.  I think it would have been easier to find Waldo.

I sent an email to the General Manager of the Blue Rocks just to let him know my experience.  I will blog about the outcome of the email if I receive a reply.

The Blue Rocks may have won their home opener but they lost with their GF food.

Take Me Out to The Gluten Free Ball Game

So we are heading to opening day at the Blue Rocks tomorrow night and I checked their web-site, low and behold they offer a GF menu.  Limited items but still options so you don't have to be creative.  The menu offers Rice Crispy Treats, a hot dog platter (hot dog, salad and chips) and pause....wait for it, Redbridge GF beer.

Stay tuned for my after game food review.

Bonnie B

Gluten Free Pizza - Eat In or Delivery?

In Delaware two restaurants come to mind when going out for pizza.  Grottos or Seasons.  Both have locations across the state and now they both offer GF pizza.

Let me break it down pizza to pizza.

Grottos Pizza is a 9 inch pie starting at $9.99 and Seasons is a 12 inch pie starting at $10.99.  Incidently their 12 inch pie is the same size as the regular medium pizza.  Of course thats the price before you add extra toppings.

I asked the server at Seasons if I could have any topping on my pizza.  She said no sausage as theirs contains gluten.

The Seasons pizza had a nice thin, crispy crust and Grottos had a slightly thicker crust but also crispy.  Neither pizza had that gluteny after taste.

I really loved both pizzas and would order from both restaurants.   If I had my own scoring system both pizzas would get BBBBB (get it 5 B's).

My Bianco with ham at Seasons!

Little side note here.  Extreme Pizza in Wilmington and Pizza by Elizabeth in Greenville also have GF pizza.  I have yet to try them but hope to review soon.  Stay tuned.

Yummy In The Tummy Pancakes

This morning I had a hankering for pancakes.  I recently discovered the new Bisquick Gluten Free Pancake and Baking Mix and decided to give it a try.  Actually this was my second attempt (first one I didn't have the mix quite right).

So the recipe on the box says to use one cup of Bisquick, one cup of milk, two tablespoons of veggie oil and 1 egg.  This will make 10 pancakes.  I wasn't about to eat 10 so I decided to cut the recipe in half.  Well your probably thinking how do you cut an egg in half.  I crack the egg in a separate bowl, mix with a fork then  pour half in with the other mix.  I also added a little bit of cinnamon and sugar to the mix.  The mix was a little on the stiff side so I poured in a little more of the egg and a couple of tablespoons of water.  Sometimes to get the right consistency you have to modify the recipe.

After heating your greased skillet or griddle, I used a 1/4 cup measure to pour the pancake mix into the skillet.  The outcome you can see in the picture I posted with this Blog.  The pancakes are silver dollar size which actually did still yield about 10 pancakes.  They were evenly cooked and quickly ingested.  Yummy Yum Yum.  Even my non GF husband said they tasted good.  He did suggest for a sweeter batter to add a little bit more sugar and perhaps a drop of vanilla.

I DEFINITELY recommend this product to anyone who loves pancakes!!!  You can Google GF Bisquick recipes and find alot of great ideas for this mix.

Udi's Bread Rocks!

I had seen advertised on Facebook a number of new gluten free products.  At the advise of my Father, who incidentally also has Sprue, I stopped by a Trader Joe's and found Udi's GF bread.  I was amazed.  No more nuking your bread before toasting it!!!  It goes right from the bag to the toaster.  Makes for great sandwiches too.

I did have it yesterday without being toasted with a bun-less burger I picked up at a fast food place.  It was a little bit dry without putting a little heat to it.

Overall, I really like Udi's.  They have a number of different products including  whole grain, white bread and bagels.  These items can be found in the bread section of Trader Joe's, clearly marked as a Gluten Free food.

Enjoy!!

Bonnie B.

TastyKake Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies!!

Did you know they even existed?  I got a text today from my husband saying my in-laws brought me a box of GF Chocolate Chip Cookies.  Well my first reaction was "since when did Tastykake start making GF anything?" Actually they make two different cookies, the Chocolate Chip and a Chocolate, Chocolate Chip.

Apparently, they are just being sold in the Greater Philadelphia area at local Acme stores, but my in-laws found these cookies at Shoprite.

Get to it .... your thinking.

I LOVE THIS COOKIE!!!  This cookie has the texture of a "packaged" non-GF soft baked chocolate chip cookie.  It doesn't crumble like most GF cookies and doesn't have that dry, gritty texture either.  They use dark chocolate chunks and there isn't a GF after taste that accompanies a lot of other products.

I was not told the exact cost of these cookies because they were given to me as a gift but my husband says the were in the $6-$7 price range.

Just The Facts


There are 8 cookies per package.  Each cookie is 1 serving portion containing 130 calories, 80 of those calories from Fat.  There is a total of 8 grams of Fat per cookie, Total Carbs 12 grams, and 70 milligrams of Sodium.  

I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I have.

Bonnie B

Welcome To My Gluten Free Life

Hello Everyone!!

My name is Bonnie and I have lived with Celiac Sprue for almost 13 years.  I found out I had Sprue back when no one have ever heard of Sprue, let alone a gluten free diet.

It was really difficult and quite expensive to live on a GF diet and I have to admit, I "fell off the wagon" a few times when GF food was not easily available.

I have made a commitment to myself and my husband that I will keep to a strict GF diet.  I also decided I wanted to write about new Gluten Free foods I find when I am out and about.  Review local eateries that offer GF menu choices and also, Blog about GF beer ( I am a big fan of brew).

I hope you enjoy my Blog and feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

Bonnie B