Gluten Free New Orleans (GF Big Easy)

I will be heading to New Orleans soon, so am posting a list of gluten free places that I can reference easily.
Some will be local places, others large chains...when you need GF, you can't always eat local...

Gregory Restaurant - breakfast and lunch only. maybe cash only. accommodates substitutions. rather inexpensive. Near Poydras St. 515 Baronne St, New Orleans, LA 70113  Phone: (504) 523-9780

Naked Pizza - too far to walk, but says they deliver.  GF Medium cheese pizza is $9.99 plus toppings.

6307 S Miro St, New Orleans, LA 70115 Phone:(504) 865-0244 

Feast - worth a shot if not too far from hotel.  Warehouse district. food sounds great.  Awesome reviews.  

200 Julia St, New Orleans Phone: 504-304-6318

Bayona - entrees start at $25, they say they can work with any dietary needs..and I am inclined to believe them.  430 Dauphine St New Orleans, LA 70112  Phone:(504)525.4455

Muriel's Jackson Square - pricey. here is the gluten free menu. Wood grilled 1/2 chicken is $17, entree price goes sharply up from there.  801 Chartres Street, New Orleans, Louisiana 70116 Phone: (504)568-1885

Rambla at International House - allegedly gluten free friendly, but food and service not well reviewed and a bit pricey...maybe if i am starving or desperate. 217 Camp St, New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: (504) 587-7720

Liborio Cuban Restaurant - maybe a bit pricey, but could get a side of rice in a pinch.  if the food can be prepared GF it would be great (fingers crossed).  The menu has some possibilities, but would depend on the waiter/cook. 321 Magazine Street, New Orleans, LA 70002  Phone: (504)581-9680

Cafe Amelie - French Quarter. Some menu items could work as GF. Nice ambiance (i've read). $25 entrees and $10 brunch. 912 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70116  Phone: (504) 412-8965

Eat New Orleans - French Quarter. Entrees $15-25 ish.  Sounds like hearty food.  Modify for GF? Mashed Potatoes, Steak, Chicken,  900 Dumaine St, New Orleans, LA 70116  Phone: (504) 522-7222


Cochon Butcher - Central Business District/ warehouse area, GF meat with a side salad. maybe fun as a change.  930 Tchoupitoulas, New Orleans LA 70130 Phone: 504-588-PORK

PF Changs is in the Lakeside Mall near the Lake Ponchartrain Causeway...too far to walk from the French Quarter. 

Outback Steakhouse is also near the Causeway.  2746 Severn Ave. Metairie, LA 70002 (504) 455-6850


Breakfast Ideas
The Ruby Slipper Cafe - basic breakfast place. try if needed...southern style, well reviewed. not sure what is GF, but coffee and eggs are always OK.  Make sure there is nothing added to the potatoes in the hash browns (no idea what is in it...)
200 Magazine Street New Orleans, LA 70130 Phone: 504-525-9355

The Old Coffeepot Restaurant - In the French Quarter. also has dinner stuff, not obviously GF...but can probably be modified to work.  714 Saint Peter Street  New Orleans, LA 70116 Phone: (504) 524-3500

Denny's - near the airport.

1021 Airline Hwy, Kenner, LA 70062  Phone: (504)464-6536

 

Grocery
Mardi Gras Zone - East of Washington Square, said to have lots of GF options. entrance is nondescript.
2706 Royal St, New Orleans, LA 70117  Phone: (504) 947-8787

GF @ LA Live (gluten free at LA live) GF near Staples Center.

A few friends and I went to the Laker home opener a few weeks ago.  I did some research and discovered that there are at least 2 places to eat gluten free food at LA Live (across from Staples Center).

The places were:
ROCK'N FISH:  The main menu is available here. Their 2 page GF menu is not online.  I emailed them shortly after eating there, to ask for a PDF of the GF menu.  They have not responded to my request.  If they do, I will post it.  I ate the:
Aged Prime Top Sirloin Steak.  
USDA PRIME 10 oz center cut
Top Sirloin Culotte, aged for 30 days, Midwest, corn fed.
$26.95
It came with 2 sides (the GF side choices are extensive, I picked garlic mashed potatoes and sweet potato fries...yum)....no, they do not have a gf version of their famous spicy mac and cheese.
The price was reasonable for the food and service.  I would definitely eat there again.  I just wish they would put the GF menu online in order to encourage more celiacs to eat at rock'n fish la live....so that the menu does not vanish.  It is nice to have reasonably priced GF options near Staples Center.

The other place you can eat is very pricey, but good.  Great if you are eating on a company expense account or per diem - which I am not. 
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar: I have not eaten at the LA Live location.  I ate at the Woodland Hills location recently.  The LA Live location was full to capacity when I tried to eat there, and ended up at Rock'n Fish (my wallet was thankful).  Here is a link to their gluten free menu.
 

Gluten Free French Toast Recipe - Gluten Free-dom Toast

Back before I was diagnosed, I really liked French Toast.  Anyhow, here is how I recently made some GF french toast..I was really craving some.  This is a basic french toast recipe, with a few tiny tweaks due to the GF bread density.

If you prefer, you can call it Gluten Free-dom Toast... :-)

Ingredients
4 eggs
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
10-12 slices of Gluten Free bread.  
                 I use Food for Life's Brown Rice Bread (cheapest at Trader Joe's)
Butter
Syrup topping. 
                 I use Lyle's Golden Syrup.  Maple syrup would be a decent alternative.
 
Directions
1. Beat eggs
2. Stir in sugar, salt, milk
3. Use a fork to pierce small holes in the GF bread, so that it will absorb the liquid better (GF bread is dense)
4. Use butter to coat the inside of frying pan, in order to prevent sticking.
5.Turn the heat under the frying pan on (to medium - low)
6. Soak the bread in the egg mixture, flip twice before placing into pan (better absorption).
7. Flip the french toast when one side is brown (3-5 minutes, depending on heat and liquid absorption).
8. Allow the second side to cook.
 9. Remove from pan and add topping
10. Eat and enjoy

Possible modifications to try in the future...
Use a different type of GF bread.
Add cinnamon
Use some powdered sugar for an extra sweet topping






This is the syrup that I use.  You can also buy it in a can, but the squeezable bottle is much easier to use.  The price looks expensive, but it is for a 6 pack.

Gluten Free Beef Jerky

Beef jerky tends to have soy sauce or teriyaki sauce, so it is hard to find GF beef jerky.
When I crave protein, I buy Trader Joe's Organic Beef Jerky "Original" flavor.
It is $4.99 for 3 ounces of jerky (33 grams of protein and 210 calories).
It says "Gluten Free" on the lower right corner of the green bag. (see picture below)
It does not feature the TJ's gluten free logo, so you may have overlooked it.
Beware, some other flavors by the same company contain gluten, so read carefully.
It tastes good and makes for a great snack to help you make it to the next mealtime without passing out or being overly cranky. 

Gluten Free at Dodger Stadium (beer and snacks)

So I went to watch the Dodger play the equally hapless Mets last Saturday.
I had read in the LA Times that the Dodgers (by way of their food server - Levy Restaurants) would be offering some gluten free items this year.  I didn't want to post until I checked it out.

You need to find the Kaiser Permanent Healthy Plate cart.
Here is what the cart sign looks like...

 

Here is a picture of the prices...notice that the GF Beer, Redbridge, is not unreasonably priced (for a ballpark) at $6 per 12 oz bottle. It is about a 400% markup over normal store prices...like most other beer.

And lastly, here is a picture of the gluten free redbridge beer (so you know it is not a myth).  Remember, beer sales stop in the 7th inning, so get their early and ask for the Kaiser Cart with the gluten free beer...

Sadly, the food left almost everything to be desired...they only had GF snacks.

There were only 3 choices..1) gummy bears 2)pistachios 3)snack bars.
 (and the gummy bears were getting mushy in direct sunlight)

I wrote before about the new gluten free food at the new Met Stadium, which included some GF BBQ and other fun things.  Even the Washington Wizards have some GF foods available.  It's sad that there are not better offerings for the 56,000 fans that Dodger Stadium can hold. If they have an average ratio of about 1 in 100 people as a celiac, that means there are 560 celiacs that can't buy a proper meal at Dodger Stadium (when the stadium is sold out).

In short, it is a good start, but underwhelming.  It would be great if the Dodgers and Levy Restaurants were more proactive about catering to people with dietary needs (particularly celiac disease).  I would go to more Dodger games each year if I was able to eat food (which means more food, ticket, and parking money for the McCourts).

Gluten Free in Waikiki, Gluten Free in Honolulu, Gluten Free in Hawaii

I'm going to Hawaii in the near future, so am posting this as the list of places that I may go
(so I can refer to it).
Reviews when I return. Some are big chain restaurants.

PF Chang's : Gluten Free menus are in PDF on the site.
Waikiki - Located in the Royal Hawaiian Shopping Center
Sunday - Thursday 11:00am- 11:00pm   Friday - Saturday 11:00am - midnight
2201 Kalakaua Ave. Suite A401
Honolulu, HI 96815
Honolulu - Located in the in the Hokua Building
Monday - Thursday and Sunday 11am - 10:30pm  Friday & Saturday 11 am - 11:30pm
1288 Ala Moana Boulevard, Ground Floor (Enter from Auahi Street)
Honolulu, HI 96814

Outback Steakhouse -Gluten Free Menu is a PDF.

Waikiki

4:30-10:00 daily (some days they open at 4)

1765 Ala Moana Blvd,

Honolulu, HI 96815

1-808-951-6274

Roy's - Waikiki Beach  (Hawaiian Fusion, looks pricey.) Also another location south of Honolulu.

Need to talk to chefs and make reservation in advance.  Notify them you are celiac.
226 Lewers Street
Honolulu, HI 96815
(808) 923-7697

Down to Earth  -  market that allegedly sells a lot of GF snacks.  MAP HERE

2525 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96826
Phone: (808) 947-7678

7:30am - 10:00pm

Hula Grill Waikiki - may be a possibility.  go by and ask them before you get hungry.

Waikiki

2335 Kalakaua Ave
Honolulu, HI 96815

House Without a Key -little south of Fort Derussy. 

entertainment 5:30-8:00.  Open 7am-9pm.  Has lunch and dinner menus.  Pricey. The chef can modify things, but it would be rather expensive for some grilled chicken/steak with white rice and steamed vegetables.  Nice view.

Waikiki

2199 Kalia Rd

Honolulu, HI 96815

Yard House

11am-1am

226 Lewers St
Honolulu, HI 96815

(808) 923-9273

Cheeseburger in Paradise - said to be on Waikiki Beach but I can't find the location on their site.  Cheeseburger has a Gluten Free MENU HERE

NOTE - Though they share the same name of Cheeseburger in Paradise, the restaurant/bar in Waikiki has a different web address and NO gluten free food. AVOID.  That explains why they are not a listed location. I am leaving them on here so you don't trek there for nothing.

Denny's - Look at the allergen PDF before ordering.
2345 KUHIO AVE
HONOLULU, HI 96815
(808) 922-9522

205 Lewers St
HONOLULU, HI 96815
(808) 923-8188

Bubbies Ice Cream and Desserts - they have mochi that may be GF.
(I never made it to either location) - no review forthcoming.

Varsity Center  - Across Varsity Theater on Coyne Street
1010 University Avenue
Honolulu, HI 96826
Mon-Th 12 PM - 12 AM
Fri - Sat 12 PM - 1 AM
Sun 12 PM - 11:30 AM

Hawaii Kai  - Koko Marina Shopping Center
7192 Kalanianaole Hwy D103
Honolulu, HI 96825
(808) 396-8722

Sun - Th 10 AM - 11 PM
Fri - Sat 10 AM - Midnight

Gluten Free Cider

Everyone loves a good list.  Here is the CeliacsUnited.com list of the top gluten free ciders (that I have tried and recall enough to write about).  Beware, some other ciders are not gluten free due to additives etc (avoid Hornsby's for example).  Everything on this list was Gluten Free when I tried it.   I'll add photos eventually.  I purchased everything at bevmo, but most are available elsewhere.  Expect to pay about $1.50 per 12 ounces (9 bucks a 6-pack for you non-math folk).



1. Fox Barrel - Hard Apple Cider.  6.0% alcohol  They claim...

Using freshly pressed juice and a passion for quality,our ciders are refreshing and enjoyable, equally comfortable on the beach or at a dinner party.

I had the 22oz variety and I agree. I claim...

Sweet dang.  That is delicious.  I do feel refreshed. Thank you sir, may I have another.  I'd even drink it if I didn't have celiac disease.  It is kind of them to have a large "Gluten Free" under the nutrition facts.  It is a tad pricey.

2a. Woodchuck Draft Cider - Amber.  5.0% alcohol.  The original flavor.  Amber/golden honey color and good aftertaste.  Non-celiacs will approve of the flavor also. 

2b. Woodchuck Draft Cider - 802.   The name comes from the area code in Vermont that the cider is made.  They "use caramelized sugar instead of white sugar to tone down the sweetness" (their words). I think it tasted pretty sweet (of the..."that sounds pretty sweet to me" variety).  I would definitely have it again.  Different than the amber, not better or worse.

4.  Woodchuck Draft Cider - Spring Cider. 5.0% alcohol. Yellow label with spring meadow scene.  Granny smith with a hint of honey.  Grand improvement over plain Granny Smith.  Mellow smooth tones in your mouth and a friendly aftertaste.

5. Woodchuck Draft Cider - Granny Smith.  5.0% alcohol.  Makes your mouth pucker like you are drinking a sour apple jolly rancher or some fancy less than butch apple-tini.  Apple taste is so strong it seems healthy.  A unique way to get your daily serving of fruits.  I am not too enamored with this.


7. (tie) Woodchuck Draft Cider - Fall Cider (limited release).  5.0% alcohol. Back before my celiac disease was diagnosed, I'd drink beer.  This is the "Sierra Nevada Pale Ale" of ciders.  It is not very pleasant initially, but given a chance repeatedly (over more than a few weeks), it began to grow on me a little.  I think this has the potential to be a cult classic.  You may love or hate it, but try it 6 times before you totally write it off.  I still think it tastes like pine tree urine with a hint of apple.  Has an autumnal label (sorry no pic).

7. (tie)Woodchuck Draft Cider - Raspberry.  4.0% alcohol.  In an obscure reference to tombstone (val kilmer's doc holiday)...Raspberry is my huckleberry.  I just did not really like it.  Too much of the raspberry, would be fine as a dessert cider, but more than one is too many.  I may be too harsh.

Woodchuck Draft Cider - Pear - 4.0% alcohol.  I have not tried yet.

There are other ciders out there that I have not tried or forget...looks like I need to get out there and try some. Also, is it just me...or is cider a strange word.  Look at it on its own.    cider          CIDER          strange.

P.F. Chang's New (ish) Gluten Free Menu

Previously, I posted about PF Chang's GF Menu, and how I wish it had beef. Well, back in March of 2010, they listened and came up with a new menu with a lot more GF options.  They now have Mongolian Beef, Hong Kong Beef, Beef and Broccoli, and all the old favorites.  Here is a printable menu.  Expect to pay a bit more for GF food and receive smaller portions than the usual menu.

Here is the list of GF foods available, copied from their website on June 14th...

FYI - Look at the key.  Spicy is usually very hot (and even for people that like the heat).  They also have some GF soy sauce that you can request on the side.  Make sure that the server takes away the initial generic sauces, as they are not GF.

GLUTEN FREE CHANG'S CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS Quickly cooked spiced chicken served with cool lettuce cups and gluten free sauce	GLUTEN FREE CANTONESE SHRIMP OR SCALLOPS A light, mild blend of seafood, garlic and snow peas	GLUTEN FREE HONG KONG BEEF WITH SNOW PEAS Tender beef, crisp snow peas and water chestnuts together at last
EGG DROP SOUP A classic starter	GLUTEN FREE SHRIMP WITH LOBSTER SAUCE Garlic white wine sauce with Chinese black beans, mushrooms, scallions and egg	GLUTEN FREE SINGAPORE STREET NOODLES Asian "Street Fare" - shrimp, chicken and rice noodles stir-fried in our gluten free sauce
GLUTEN FREE CHANG'S SPICY CHICKEN Lightly dusted and stir-fried in a sweet Sichuan sauce. Our version of General Tso's and always a favorite	GLUTEN FREE SHRIMP WITH LOBSTER SAUCE LUNCH BOWL Garlic white wine sauce with Chinese black beans, mushrooms, scallions and egg served over a bed of rice	GLUTEN FREE FRIED RICE Wok-fried rice blended with egg, soy and sliced scallions. Choice of beef, pork, chicken, shrimp or combo.
GLUTEN FREE GINGER CHICKEN WITH BROCCOLI Served Cantonese-style on a bed of fresh steamed broccoli	GLUTEN FREE MONGOLIAN BEEF Our signature dish, quickly - cooked with scallions and garlic	GLUTEN FREE BUDDHA'S FEAST Vegetable medley served steamed
GLUTEN FREE PHILIP'S BETTER LEMON CHICKEN Lightly dusted and quick-fried chicken served with broccoli in a tart, sweet citrus sauce	GLUTEN FREE BEEF & BROCCOLI Served Cantonese-style, tossed with steamed broccoli	GLUTEN FREE BUDDHA'S FEAST LUNCH BOWL Vegetable medley served steamed over a bed of rice
GLUTEN FREE MOO GOO GAI PAN P.F. Chang's version of the classic Cantonese dish with chicken, shrimp, mushrooms and vegetables	GLUTEN FREE BEEF & BROCCOLI LUNCH BOWL Served Cantonese-style, tossed with steamed broccoli over a bed of rice	GLUTEN FREE SPINACH WITH GARLIC The name says it all
GLUTEN FREE DALI CHICKEN Our spiciest chicken dish served with sliced potatoes and leeks	GLUTEN FREE BEEF A LA SICHUAN Crispy beef strips with julienne celery and carrots. Our spiciest beef dish	GLUTEN FREE GARLIC SNAP PEAS Stir-fried with garlic
GLUTEN FREE MOO GOO GAI PAN LUNCH BOWL P.F. Chang's version of the classic Cantonese dish with chicken, shrimp, mushrooms and vegetables served over a bed of rice	GLUTEN FREE PEPPER STEAK Quickly cooked steak with red and green bell peppers, yellow onions, garlic and black pepper	GLUTEN FREE SHANGHAI CUCUMBERS Sliced, cold cucumbers sprinkled in gluten free soy sauce and sesame seeds
GLUTEN FREE CHANG'S LEMON SCALLOPS Dusted and quick-fired scallops tossed in a light lemon sauce	GLUTEN FREE PEPPER STEAK LUNCH BOWL Quickly cooked steak with red and green bell peppers, yellow onions, garlic and black pepper over a bed of rice	GF CHOCOLATE DOME DESSERT Served with fresh berries and raspberry sauce
GLUTEN FREE SALMON STEAMED WITH GINGER Served over stir-fried shiitake mushrooms, bok choy, tomatoes and asparagus

Gluten Free Pizza at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse - Thin Crust, GF Beer, 2 enthusiastic GF thumbs up.

So, I just ate lunch at BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in Newport Beach, near the Balboa Pier.
BALBOA
106 Main St.
Newport Beach , CA 92661
949.675.7560
949.675.7567 FAX
At Balboa by the Pier

It is a small place, with friendly waiters and a nice ambiance.

They have some new menu items that are GF, and their new gluten free pizza is the feature item in a new promotional campaign.

Here is the table flyer...

I shared my concerns about cross contamination (why Whole Foods gluten-free pizza is to be avoided) with the waiter, who assuaged my fears by explaining that the GF pizza has a separate prep station, separate sauces, and is very obsessively kept apart from the normal pizza.   

According to their Gluten-free selections menu, they have 5 salads, some soup, 4 types of stuffed potatoes, steak, salmon, and roasted chicken that can be prepared in a gluten-free manner.  I opted for the Gluten-Free Thin Crust Pizza. 

  Their menu describes it as "A flavorful, herb-infused, 10-inch crust baked to a golden brown and topped with your favorite gluten-free toppings.  With the exception of our meatballs, all of BJ's Classic Ingredients are gluten-free."

I opted for Hawaiian with a twist. Ham, Pineapple, Roasted Garlic.  I ordered a gluten-free beer on the side (Redbridge, reviewed in another post).  It arrived looking good, and tasted better.

The entire meal, pizza with three toppings and a $4.50 beer, came to less than $20.  It was great to be out at a pizza place at the beach, with beer and without worries.  I hope that this brings BJ's some additional business so that they keep the gluten free pizza.  I know I will be back, and bringing other customers with me.

Here is a photo of the outdoor menu..

The official website is here.  The pizza toppings are here.

Place to Try - Gluten Free Pizza at zpizza

Z Pizza has numerous locations.  Someone I know recently told me about the zpizza gluten free pizza crust option.  I have yet to check it out.  I want to double check if they use a separate station for the GF toppings to avoid cross contamination (CC for you GF geeks) and watch them make one before I can actually tell you to eat there....that said, look at the GF menu options here, the locations here, and let me know if it is worth going to (should you try it before me).

          Full disclosure: The pictures are from my screen shots of their website.

Product Review and Recipe - San-J Gluten Free Teriyaki Stir Fry and Marinade

Quick and simple recipe. Tastes like real teriyaki without the gluten.
Note: I'd like to make this again and use some pineapple.
food needed - chicken, rice, sauce, optional vegetables, olive oil
cookware needed - i use a wok.  rice cooker or pot for rice. something for whatever vegetables you want (not high on my priority list)
1.  Start rice cooking.
2. Cut chicken into pieces
3. Put a little oil in wok and then stir fry the chicken until it begins to brown.
4. Add teriyaki sauce (GF only) and continue cooking chicken until done (about 5 mins)
5. Make vegetables of your choice (maybe steamed)
6. Combine on plate artistically.
7. Eat and enjoy.

The finished product.  Yum.

Product Review - Trader Joe's Curried Lentils: Inexpensive hot lunch

Trader Joe's Curried Lentils on Cumin Flavored Basmati Rice are vegetarian and contain no gluten ingredients.  Great to microwave for a filling, inexpensive lunch or dinner (540 calories and 22 grams of protein).  Doesn't look like the package, but tastes great.  Close your eyes and it will taste much better... like an indian babyfood. 

Organic Almond Non Dairy Beverage

I was in Whole Foods and noticed a product that seemed far too cheap to be good.  There were 4 single serving Chocolate Almond beverages...gluten free and 4 for $1.50 (being phased out at Whole Foods).

Thought I'd give it a try.  8 oz and 100 calories per serving (small package).

In short: Like chocolate milk but without the chalky factor. Dairy-free and soy-free.  I'd drink it again...especially for less than 40 cents a box.  Left me refreshed and feeling slightly guilty (like I had eaten a chocolate bar and hidden the wrapper).  12 oz serving would be nicer.

This product is from Pacific Natural Foods. The direct product link would be found here. I got the picture from their website.


You can order it from amazon. It is about $22 for a 24 pack (not a bad price). 

CeliacsUnited.com hits 1000 views. (awesome*awesome=awesomer)

Not really a post...more of a milestone.  Sometime during the middle of last week (let's say Wednesday the 10th) the blog got its thousandth view.  I created the blog as a resource for myself, however it is gratifying that there are others of you out there using the blog as a go to place for information that you need to know but don't want to memorize.. ie. what is celiac disease?  what contains gluten?  what GF alcohol can I drink? 

As most of you do not comment, I have no idea what it is the brings you back... convenience? humor? bad puns? good resource?  a fellow celiac angelino?  anyway...thanks for reading.

GF Soy Sauce - Wok up an appetite

Gluten Free Soy Sauce...?  
Essential if you want to create stir fry dishes.  Lots of things I used to enjoy to eat elsewhere I must now create at home (how I miss you orange chicken 3 item combo...).  I'm planning to cook some GF Mongolian Beef sometime in the not-to distant future.

Anyway, back to the GF soy sauce...

I use the kind seen to the left in the ad...but I buy mine in a larger size for less money at Vons.  That said, wherever you buy it...be prepared to pay more than you think it should cost...(haven't you learned yet? GF versions of gluten items are generally more expensive)...also, my apologies for that long, strange, run-on sentence...I liked the sentence less than I wanted to, but not nearly enough to change it.

Overheard in the grocery aisle. 
Person 1 - "Do you have any gluten free soy sauce?"
Person 2 - "Isn't soy sauce made out of soy?"
Person 1 - "I'll take that as a no."
Yes, you devotee of Sherlock Holmes ...I was Person 1 in the story. 

I've located the San-J brand GF soy sauce at Vons and at Whole Foods.  The price at Vons is much better for keeping your money in your wallet...it is the exact same product.

As always, check the label for yourself to make sure that you are getting a GF product.  I have a list here of things that contain gluten.Wheat free is not always gluten free.

Wok are you waiting for...?  get out there and start stir frying!  and if you come up with a good version of GF Mongolian beef, please leave me the recipe as a comment.

February 2010 CeliacsUnited.com Gluten Free Product of the Month – Performance Fit’s First String High Performance Collegiate Formula NCAA Compliant Chocolate Blast (what a mouthful to say).

In what I am hoping will become a monthly tradition…feel free to post or email me suggestions for future months. I posted this one a little late…no guarantees that a product will show up early in the month (I pretend to have a life that cuts down on my posting time).


February 2010 CeliacsUnited.com Gluten Free Product of the Month –
Performance Fit’s First String High Performance Collegiate Formula NCAA Compliant Chocolate Blast (what a mouthful to say).

Overview: Nutritious and Delicious product available from dotFit.com Retails for $59.95

I had a bit of a hard time finding a workout product that guaranteed to be gluten free that also was nutritious and tasted good. (Cliff’s Builder Bars for example are wheat free, but CONTAIN gluten…they have a lovely paragraph about how they avoid wheat etc. etc. but then sneak in triticale – which is Gluten. My negative experience with Cliff’s made me very leery of exercise and nutrition products.).

Then I was introduced to the “First String...

The product has a nutritional label that says” Contains No Gluten” Lovely sight to behold…here.

I’ve tried both the chocolate and vanilla versions. Chocolate is great mixed with water alone. If you have a blender available (I do not usually), you can add a banana and some ice to make it even better.

The Vanilla flavor is also good, and can be a welcome respite from having chocolate all the time (I know, some of you cannot image chocolate getting old). Vanilla seems to go down with less aftertaste…

Chocolate Blast – Rich, Nutritious, Delicious.  (say it like Mr. T)

Vanilla – Less Filing, Sans aftertaste. (in a blatant adaptation of a Miller Lite Beer Ad)

I tend to only use 3 scoops of powder with 20 oz water…Mixes well in the dotFit shaker bottle. I drink half before and half after the workout.

The details about the product and its nutrition are available online here. There are also good articles about maximizing your muscle gain or weight loss.  Pictures are available online and look better than what I would take...also, you should read the nutritional info for yourself.

I realize that this post is devoid of a lot of the humor in my other postings…not sure how to remedy that problem..gluten free workout products aren’t really fun per say…but essential. I could vent more about products that hide the gluten, but I’d rather focus on the positive…and Performance Fit’s First String High Performance Collegiate Formula NCAA Compliant Chocolate Blast (still a mouthful to say) deserves to be a product of the month. 


Thoughts?

Oh [profanity], not that one again... buy it twice...shame on me.

Oops, I did it again...rather catchy late 90s tune, but downright annoying when it comes to gluten free grocery shopping.

We've all done it....purchased something that sounds or looks great but ends up being terrible.  Then, we compound the error by purchasing the same horrible item a few months later when the chalk taste or whatever other issue it has is out of our short term memory.

Glass half full guy: "That is great, there are so many GF products that you can forget some are bad."
Glass half empty guy: "GF doesn't mean I should donate my money for a catchy box or something that tastes bad."
Charles Barkley:  "That is turrible. Turrible, turrible, turrible."  (to my knowledge, Chuck does not read my blog, nor is he a celiac) 
Me: "Oh [profanity deleted].  I am such a moron.  How could I waste my money on that [profanity] again.  Aaargh!"  (at which point I run from the room to spit into the trash can and wipe off my tongue...vowing never to do that again)

I don't know that your taste buds will agree with mine.  But...here is a list of GF products that I just found awful.  I have sorted them by store purchased (though many GF items are available in more than one location).  My goal:  to prevent using profanity around people while eating...unless I am in a bar and watching a sporting event of some kind.


obviously a work in progress...I realize some of the products will be improved upon and I will miss out on a good version 2.0 - that is something my wallet and I are OK with.

The "Oh [profanity]!" list  (will be updated semi-regularly...much like the rest of the site) 
Store - alleged description according to the packaging....(I disagree)
Trader Joe's
1. Crunchy Curls - A Tasty Lentil & Potato Snack
2.

Whole Foods
1. 
2.

Babycakes NYC - The Photos...

I'm not sure why I can't update these into my old post...?  budding bloggers, see photo editor note below

Anyhoo (for my Wisconsin readers)....here are the photos.

Caption 1: The tiling at the floor entry (exterior)...notice the cupcake.

Caption 2: Here I am in front of the store...

focus on the storefront rather than my face, and no...I am not in witness protection.. 

Caption 3: A glass display from inside the store...here are the T-shirts they sell...expensive...but nice niche.
sadly, nothing was appropriate for a heterosexual male...otherwise I would be rocking one right now.  
(I don't even think there was anything for a metrosexual male....but that is something to decide for yourself)

P.S.#1 - Wisconsin Readers:I don't believe that I have Wisconsin readers...I know of 1 occasional reader from Wisconsin, but I am not so brash as to believe that other Wisconsites/Wisconsonians..? read the blog.  If they do, they can take solace in the fact that...plain cheese is gluten free :-)

P.S. #2 - Photo editor's note to self: The last image was uploaded very easily as I modified the image size in photoshop in order to make the file size smaller.  That may have been the problem when I tried to upload earlier.  You may have noticed that some of my other image files were huge (see Blue Smoke pics for examples).  I'll try to avoid that in the future...

Babycakes NYC ( will add photos at later date.....blogger is lagging)

Babycakes - also known as Babycakes NYC.
They just opened a place in LA called Babycakes in LA (rocket science).

New York Address to cut/paste into google.
248 Broome Street,  New York City, NY 10002
(on the lower east side Btwn Orchard & Ludlow)

I'd been looking forward to going here, as everyone always asked me if I'd been...and now I have.

First impression...nice cupcake tile at the entry (I notice random things like that).

In a random alley of an up-and-coming (read hip/edgy/sketchy at night) neighborhood. Small interior...I'd pictured something larger, but it is New York).
There was a small counter with a few display cases.

It was great that everything is dairy free and soy free, but I couldn't understand why they make things with spelt (not everything, some things are GF).

Beware of Spelt: Items are either spelt or gluten free. Spelt=gluten. I am sure they do a decent job avoiding cross contamination, but why bother having spelt? I don't know anyone that thinks..."mmm....I could do with some spelt." So, be very careful when ordering. I would feel better about things if the spelt had not shared display cases with the GF food.

Service: The employees were friendly and helpful (contrary to some negative reviews many other people have written online).

GF Food:I ordered a plethora of GF food and sat down at the small counter and consumed it all.

Everything was good and tasty, but rather small and expensive.  I had the chocolate crumble GF cake, a chocolate glazed donut (winner of the best taste award - though it had a hint of lemon...but I am a sucker for chocolate glazed donuts and hadn't had one for over a year), some brownies,  a carrot cake muffin (also delicious), and a cup of coffee.

Result:  I left on a sugar and caffeine high that was great! I was shaking like someone shooting the halftime half court shot at a Knicks game...eventually the effect wore off and I had a bit of a headache (I blame the caffeine not the GF food).

However, those on a budget couldn't afford to eat here too often (as I would tend to pig out...also, a plane ticket to NYC is a budget buster).  But when in NY next time, I will try to work in 2 visits during the week...

Final thought: I'd love it if they added some savory GF breakfast options that I could get "to go" and eat for breakfast....coconut almond GF scone anyone?  What they have is very good, but I think they can do better...and I look forward to them proving me correct.
 
Other:  The owner wrote a cookbook...read the recipes carefully to stay GF.  Spelt contains Gluten! and a lot of the recipes have spelt.

Babycakes LA

Babycakes NYC just opened a store in downtown LA on January 3rd, 2010.

Address: 130 East 6th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90014
Telephone:(213)623-5555

Here is the relevant info.

I guess they are calling it Babycakes in LA...surely they could have come up with a better name...and the location leaves something to be desired...Erin McKenna (the founder of Babycakes NYC) should have considered 3rd St Promenade, The Grove, or some other foot traffic heavy place...downtown LA is not Manhattan...hopefully it remains open long enough for me to get there.

I went to the NYC location last month and will review it soon (I know, I lag...this is a hobby so I fit it in around life). After I descend on the downtown LA location, I'll let y'all know.

How is Celiac Disease treated?

To answer the follow up question to "What is Celiac Disease?" that I blogged about earlier...

From the experts at The US Department of Health and Human Services' National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse.

The only treatment for celiac disease is a gluten-free diet.

When you improve, you still should not eat gluten. The symptoms will recur. You need to avoid gluten forever (forever-ever? forever!).

If you don't start to improve...either
A) you still are eating some sort of gluten (fixable - get more OCD about reading ingredients and read my blog "contains gluten?")
or
B)your intestinal absorption is so severely damaged that it cannot heal (very bad).

What is Celiac Disease?

This is to answer the question that I get all the time...
There are several different sites with information about Celiac Disease.
Here is what I feel to be the definitive version (for now).

The US Department of Health and Human Services' National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (say that 10 times fast) says:

Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate gluten, a protein in wheat, rye, and barley. Gluten is found mainly in foods but may also be found in everyday products such as medicines, vitamins, and lip balms.

When people with celiac disease eat foods or use products containing gluten, their immune system responds by damaging or destroying villi—the tiny, fingerlike protrusions lining the small intestine. Villi normally allow nutrients from food to be absorbed through the walls of the small intestine into the bloodstream. Without healthy villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much food one eats.

Celiac disease is both a disease of malabsorption—meaning nutrients are not absorbed properly—and an abnormal immune reaction to gluten. Celiac disease is also known as celiac sprue, nontropical sprue, and gluten-sensitive enteropathy. Celiac disease is genetic, meaning it runs in families. Sometimes the disease is triggered—or becomes active for the first time—after surgery, pregnancy, childbirth, viral infection, or severe emotional stress.

They have a Celiac Disease Awareness Campaign with information here. The site includes current information and examples of a gluten free diet.

GF in NY BBQ - Blue Smoke Review. Downright Delicious Ribs.

I just returned from my New York trip, visiting a wide range of gluten free places to eat.
Here is the first review.

Blue Smoke - BBQ place near Madison Square Park.
116 East 27th Street, New York, NY 10016
1-212-447-7733 phone
1-212-576-2561 fax (for those of you still living in the late 1990s).

Gluten free menu available online (PDF).

I took the 6 downtown from Grand Central Station and it was about a 45 second walk from the 28th street subway exit to the restaurant.

If you like Jazz or knows someone who does, Jazz Standard is right next door. You get your GF BBQ in NY and they get their Jazz. It's a win/win...like when Kobe shoots 4 for 21 and the Lakers win anyway. But I digress...on to the food.

Blue Smoke.
Their business card claims "Urban Barbecue" but I call it downright delicious (say it with a drawl). Their GF menu is small but the ribs make it great. You order everything separately...

I devoured the Kansas City Ribs (full rack of pork), Mashed Potatoes, and Baked Beans. I also tried the Texas Ribs (beef) when I stole a rib from my girlfriend. Kansas City beat Texas like the Chiefs wish they could beat the Longhorns (football reference).

The pork ribs were a hot mess. Napkins and sauce galore. It's hard to find GF BBQ sauce, and doubly so to find good sauce at a restaurant. Blue Smoke delivered. They also had a handy contraption by the bathrooms...a pedal operated sink. These folks understand the need to get one's hands dirty...and the need to avoid the stigma of being "that guy that got BBQ sauce all over the faucet in the bathroom."

The mashed potatoes were hearty, but I needed to send them back the first time as they forgot to take the onions off (Gluten on the deep fried onions). The beans, sadly, were bland and lukewarm. They have Redbridge GF Beer at a rather exorbitant price. (I reviewed Redbridge previously in my blog). I was also disappointed that there were no dessert offerings. Mr. Blue Smoke...call up Babycakes NYC and get some GF cupcakes from them to offer on your GF menu.

 No dessert, expensive beer, so-so mashed potatoes, bland beans, but bbq pork ribs that make everything great. If you have Celiac Disease and are traveling to New York, Blue Smoke is worth a visit.

Tucked away in a corner of the Men's Bathroom is a little plaque that mentions Blue Smoke is Michelin Food Guide Recommended. It also earned a 2010 Bib Gourmand Rating. Details on what on earth that means after the link. That alone may convince some of you foodies to pay it a visit.

On a baseball note/rant:
Blue Smoke BBQ is slated to be sold at food stands in the new Mets' Ballpark CitiField. Lucky Devils. Here's hoping they sell a GF option. LA Dodgers take note. I won't spend money on a Dodger Dog sans Bun. I would drop serious dough for GF BBQ at Dodger Stadium (bad pun not intended but noticed after the fact...dough better be GF).

Gluten Free Cookbook - the one I use

I currently have only one cookbook that is designated as a gluten free cook book. I think it is the best general guide available in most bookstores...not a ton of ingredients. Different meals. Good tasting. Inexpensive. I bought one, and my parents also have a copy that they acquired. Most things I cook were inspired by recipes that I have modified after reading this book. If you'd like one for yourself or a GF friend, here is the link to get it at Amazon.

Website Review - The Gluten-Free Mall

Someone ordered me some GF food as a holiday gift. They shopped at The Gluten-Free Mall. I checked out the website and discovered..
1. It has been around since 1998.
2. Has lots of categories and food choices and is word searchable.
3. They have secure online ordering and most items are shipped on the next business day.
4. They call themselves "Your Special Diet Superstore"...I prefer, "You are special and so is your diet"...infinitely more cheesy.
5. They have a cool logo (probably should have been number 1, as I am still working on my logo for Celiacs United.)

You can sign up for coupons from The Gluten-Free Mall, and updates from Celiac.com by clicking here.

I'll blog at a later date about the food I was given...still have some to eat first.

Positive GF snack review - Mrs. Denison's Gluten Free Quinoa Macaroon

So I went and checked out Henry's Market, as promised in an earlier post. I went to the Costa Mesa store. They did, indeed, have a small GF section. Most items I had seen before, but something caught my eye.. what? you wonder? (more likely you don't wonder as you read the title of the blog entry before reading the review...unless you start all books with the last page).

I purchased a box of Mrs. Denison's Gluten Free Quinoa Macaroon's. There are 9 in a box. Soft, chewy, deliciousness. I gobbled them down with some tea. As I ate, I hoarded the box like Gollum with his precious. Eventually, however, I saw the light and shared with other people (I can always buy more - it is not the "one cookie to bind all others"). They all enjoyed it also. "They" sounds infinitely better than "Two other people. Quinoa (if you were wondering) comes from the Andes and is an ancient GF grain. I bought a box of a competitor's GF quinoa cookies that I will review in the near future. Mrs Denison's includes traces of dairy and eggs for those of you with other intolerances.