Gluten Free in Baltimore

GF pizza all over Baltimore

2010-09-26T12:17:00.000-04:00

With temperatures starting to drop, my interest in pizza really heats up. Fortunately, I can indulge my cravings this fall. I’ve noticed a number of local eateries now advertising gluten-free pies:

Cheezy’s
Gluten-free pizza prepared in a separate section of the kitchen with dedicated utensils and tools.

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1637 E. Joppa Road
Towson, Maryland 21286
(410) 33-PIZZA
(410) 337-4992
www.cheezyspizza.com

Season’s Pizza
Gluten-free pizzas shipped ready-made from the stores' distributor to avoid cross-contamination and baked using dedicated equipment at the restaurants.

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10010 York Rd
Cockeysville, MD 21030
(410) 666-2660
www.seasonspizza.com

Sweet Sin Cupcakes and Cafe
Dedicated gluten-free.

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123 West 27th Street
Baltimore, MD
(410) 464-7211
www.glutenfreedesserts.com

Uno’s

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Baltimore - 201 E. Pratt St., Harboplace
Baltimore MD 21202
(410) 625-5900
www.unos.com

Pizzazz Tuscan Grille

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711 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202
Waterside at the Pier 5 Hotel
(410) 528-7772
www.pizzazztuscangrille.com

-Christine

Simple Baked French Toast

2010-06-13T10:39:00.000-04:00

Yum! Recipe here.

Hey Liver, Why Are You Upset With Me?

2010-05-31T15:51:00.001-04:00

I have a horrible habit of not keeping up with new posts, and for that I apologize. I will not promise it won't happen again, and I would almost go so far as to say that I promise it will happen again... Living with chronic illnesses has taught me the greatest life lesson, and that is to live in the present. I take the good days when they come, and crash on the bad days knowing it's not the end of the world. I started a new job a few months back, and I absolutely love it. Much less stress than my previous job, which was contributing to increasing numbers of bad days. I loved my old job too, but sometimes you have to find something that you and your body can love equally. And, while I tried to use mind over matter, my body has a habit of winning because it just stops working! So, career change (for the time being), better health, happier Kate.

As you may know from reading older posts, in addition to having Celiac Disease, I also have Crohn's Disease. It's a "special" combination. Dealing with Celiac is nothing in comparison to the Crohn's. But the Celiac is probably the reason why my Crohn's doesn't stay in control for more than a few months at a time. They feed off each other. While I'm 100% gluten-free, (Gluten-containing foods rarely even enter my house!) my innards were pretty damaged from years of living undiagnosed and attempting to soothe my upset insides with the typical plain pasta and toast and other things that I now know are poison. So, even though I never "cheat" (really who in their right mind would ever intentionally cheat on a gluten-free diet?), I probably will never fully heal because of the Crohn's & its inflammation. This is all to say that the medications that typically would help someone with Crohn's have trouble with my body because of the malabsorption. So, I've been on immunosuppressants for over 5 years now--with the occasional addition of prednisone.

Immunosuppressants are interesting, because I rarely notice if I have a cold. We know when we have a cold because of our immune systems' response, which are what produces the symptoms that help to rid the body of the invading germs. When your immune system is suppressed, it doesn't react as much, which means that instead of getting colds more often, you get them less often because you just aren't bothered by the sneezing and runny nose and coughing. Tired though? Yes. I mean, the body is being attacked without proper defense -- of course it would be tired. When I get sick, it just takes longer to show up if it doesn't fizzle out first on its own.

What's amazing though, is that if I do end up sick, it almost always hits my liver. I have been trying to figure out why this is the case because it's really frustrating to have a cold and then have horrible pain spasming from my liver. That's not what most people get with a cold. Trust me, I've asked. Since I can't take cold medicines, I think it has something to do with the fact that I drink more tea that contains several ingredients which are also used to promote liver detox and my liver is reacting like, "Hey, why now? I'm trying to exist peacefully while there are battle raging throughout the rest of you, and you're going to disrupt me?" (Yes, all of my organs talk to me. If you have chronic illnesses, you probably know what I mean...) For now, that's what I'm going to give myself as the reason for the liver pain. If I come up with a new theory, I'll let you know. My doctors don't know why either :-)

Here's To Good Health!
Kate

Making Tracks Round-up

2010-05-04T19:43:00.000-04:00

This past weekend I participated – or rather waddled since I’m seven months pregnant – in the 9th annual Making Tracks for Celiacs 5K/10K. Because this was my first Making Tracks event, I wasn’t exactly sure what to expect. As I waited in line to register – quite a few of us registered the morning of the race -- I chatted up several veteran participants and learned that this year seemed to draw an even larger crowd than past years. One thing I noticed was the number of kids there, and the significant distances many of their families had traveled for the event.

From the results tally, it appears that more than 500 runners and walkers participated. Impressively, the Making Tracks website says over $37,000 was raised. Proceeds help support the programs at the University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research (several other cities also have their own 5K’s in conjunctions with Baltimore’s).

As for the race itself, I got a kick out of many of the t-shirts in support of ‘silly-yaks’ and ‘gluten-free cuties’ that I passed (or rather, that passed me). I also enjoyed checking out the Canton waterfront and Patterson Park.

But of course, my favorite part had to be all the gluten-free goodies at the end. I started with powdered doughnut holes from Celiac Specialties, then enjoyed a bagel from Against the Grain Gourmet, nibbled on a mini blueberry muffin made with Jules Gluten Free flour mix, snuck a black and white cookie from Katz’s gluten free and savored a pastry from Tenzo Artisan bakery. It was decadent and gluttonous, but I am eating for two -- something a few generous vendors noted as they gave me seconds.

See you out there next year!
Christine

Making Tracks for Celiacs: Celiacwalk.org

Some of my favorite vendors:

Squished Bread?

2010-05-02T10:20:00.001-04:00

Ok, Udi's you've won my love. Let me share with you how we met. It was a very warm day on May 1st in Baltimore, MD. I was disappointed that I had been unable to attend the annual Making Tracks for Celiacs 5K in the morning, but when I was finally able to get back to my day, I headed to Whole Foods Market to stock up. Now, up until this point, my standard bread was Whole Foods Market's Gluten Free Bakehouse's loaves. Yes, it needed to be toasted, but I was ok with that...it was good.

Being a gluten-free food finding machine, I was able to find every new gluten-free product they had in stock...and that happens to include Udi's granola (in the cereal aisle), loaves of fresh bread & bagels (with--you guessed it--the fresh bread), and cinnamon rolls (over in the bakery). And yes, I bought all of them. That's the confidence I have in Udi's. Where did this confidence come from? My tweeps on Twitter who just won't say a single negative thing about Udi's. It was when I went to grab a loaf of bread that I realized that these people probably weren't lying. This gluten-free bread is squishy. Now, if there is one thing gluten-free bread buyers have never had to worry about: squished bread. Well, Udi's, we now have that problem...and that may be the highest compliment you may receive. (Oh, and the fact that you don't actually have to toast the bread to make it palatable.)

So, on this 91 degree day, as I unloaded my bags of groceries, I discovered that the guy who had bagged my groceries had placed something heavy on top of one of my loaves of Udi's bread, and the loaf was squished! Not crumbled, but squished... And a smile came across my face because I knew something good had entered my life. So thank you Udi's for my new squishy gluten-free bread products.

Grano Pasta Bar (a.k.a. Little Grano)

2010-05-02T09:44:00.000-04:00

Gluten-Free Pasta? Not cooked by me? In a restaurant? Obviously I had to go and check it out. So that's what I was doing on Thursday. Grano Pasta Bar is very small, probably seats about 14 total. It's great because it's almost as though you've been allowed to come into someone's kitchen to sit down and have some great food. The kitchen is right there on the other side of the bar, so you get to watch your food get cooked right in front of you, which is a treat in and of itself.

The menu is simple: Choose a pasta. Choose a sauce. Done. Want salad with that, ok -- we have a few types. The portion size of the pasta dish is huge, so be ready for leftovers, which I'm always a fan of -- dinner and lunch the next day? It's a win. If you want wine with dinner, bring your own, or do what we did and head down to the wine bar just down the street and end your meal there with a glass of wine and some dessert. Brilliant.

Looking for a bigger place? 3 blocks up there's Grano on Chestnut. Haven't been there yet, but it's on the to-do list.

Gluten-free take out? Stay tuned!

2010-05-02T09:43:00.000-04:00

For me, one of the biggest challenges with being gluten-free is all the planning and preparation required – there’s not much room for spontaneity. I miss the convenience of being able to pick up a deli sandwich, slice of pizza or take-out when my fridge -- or energy level -- is low. But there’s good news on that front…

Wegmans, the ultra popular supermarket chain with a location in Hunt Valley, Maryland, recently emailed an online survey to its club card members. It turns out they’re hoping to launch a line of gluten-free prepared foods. Although I wasn’t able to participate in the survey, it was closed by the time I tried to log-in, I contacted Wegmans to learn more about the initiative. Here’s the scoop from the local Hunt Valley prepared foods manager:

Wegmans has been considering gluten-free carry-out for sometime – customers have been asking for it and the management feels it is “the right thing to do.”

The management is meeting to discuss the results of the customer survey tomorrow. They still need to gauge interest in gluten-free prepared foods. (Given how quickly the survey met its completion goal however, I’d say folks are interested in it!) Don’t worry, they’re already aware of the need to ensure that cross-contamination of gluten-free meals is minimized.

Eventually Wegmans hopes to have gluten-free carry-out in all stores. If it’s rolled out, the Hunt Valley location would be the first – we’ll keep you posted!

Wegmans.com

(410) 773-3900
122 Shawan Road
Hunt Valley, MD 21030

Surprise! Vinegar Pie

2010-03-27T06:54:00.000-04:00

One of our friends on Twitter is Shirley Braden (@Shirleyfge). She has some absolutely amazing recipes on her blog: Gluten Free Easily and I suggest you try some of them. Definitely delicious.

Vinegar Pie
(Click here for a printable version of this recipe.)

1 ½ cups granulated sugar
8 tbsp butter, melted and slightly cooled (dairy-free butter should work)
3 large or extra large eggs
¼ cup plus 2 tbsp flour (I used my gluten-free flour mix*)
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp vanilla extract

*I can’t tolerate many of the healthier, gluten-free flours; e.g., sorghum, buckwheat. Therefore, my gluten-free flour mix is 3 parts Asian white rice flour and 2 parts cornstarch. I gently mix three one-lb bags of the Asian white rice flour and two one-lb boxes of cornstarch in a very large bowl and then store the mix in several airtight containers (like large glass jars). No refrigeration is needed. But feel free to use whichever flour mix you use most often for baking. If you’re not gluten free, you may use all-purpose flour.

Preheat oven to to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease 9-inch pie plate very well.

Melt butter. Set aside to cool slightly. While butter is cooling, add other ingredients to mixing bowl. Add butter.

Using electric mixer, beat on high for one minute or until well blended and smooth. (It will look a lot like yellow cake batter.) Pour into greased pie plate.

Bake at 300 degrees for about 50 minutes until top forms a golden crust (center should still be slightly liquid). Cool completely before cutting and serve at room temperature (or cold per preference).

The Gluten-Free Diet and The Autism Spectrum

2010-03-20T11:24:00.000-04:00

So, here's something that I've been wanting to write about for quite some time now. Unfortunately the post-it note that the memory had been stored on must be lost under my stack of "post-it memories". Fortunately, I was watching the show, Parenthood, on NBC last night and I was reminded about my plan to discuss: The Gluten-Free Diet and The Autism Spectrum.

As many on the gluten-free diet are noticing, our food is in the spotlight -- We are on the diet because of Celiac Diesease. The gluten-free diet has also been shown to be an effective intervention for those on the Autism Spectrum and many other diseases and disorders. For the purposes of this post, I'm going to stick to providing resources that discuss the relationship between the gluten free diet and Autism/PDD.

According to one theory, some people with autism and PDD cannot properly digest gluten and casein, which form peptides, or substances that act like opiates in their bodies. The peptides then alter the person's behavior, perceptions, and responses to his environment. Some scientists now believe that peptides trigger an unusual immune system response in certain people. Research in the U.S. and Europe has found peptides in the urine of a significant number of children with autism. A doctor can order a urinary peptide test to see if proteins are being digested properly. (AutismWeb)

...[M]any families report that dietary elimination of gluten and casein has helped regulate bowel habits, sleep, activity, habitual behaviors and enhance overall progress in their individual child. No specific laboratory tests can predict which children might be observed by their families to have a positive response to dietary intervention. For that reason, many families elect a trial of dietary restriction with careful observation by the family and intervention team. (Autism Speaks)

As someone with Celiac Disease and Crohn's Disease, I am well aware of the difference between a treatment and a cure. The gluten-free diet is a treatment. It doesn't work like antibiotics in ridding the body of bacteria. Cheating on this diet doesn't mean a potential for a few extra pounds; it means the return of all the symptoms and possible harm to the body's digestive tract.

The gluten-free diet won't cure Autism, but it has great potential to be a leading treatment.

*Postings on this site are purely for informational purposes and do not claim to be diagnostic in any way, shape, or form.

Review: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

2010-03-13T19:35:00.001-05:00

Review: Five Guys Burgers and Fries

Posted using ShareThis

Making Tracks for Celiacs - 2010

2010-03-06T11:58:00.000-05:00

We are only 8 weeks away from the 2010 Celiac Walk/Run in Baltimore, MD! Grab your shoes and get ready for a 5K run/walk or a 10K run. If you don't think you can do the full walk, there are many other ways to participate as well. Join in the other activities: a silent auction, gluten-free refreshments and vendor fair, a raffle, and some great kids' activities. Of course, they are always looking for volunteers to help the event run smoothly.

This walk is a big deal to us because Baltimore is home to the Center for Celiac Research at University of Maryland Medical Center.

Click Below for Detailed Information.

When: Sunday, May 2, 2010
    Registration/Check-in begins at 8am
    Both the Run and Walk distances begin at 9am

Where: Clarence "Du" Burns Arena
     1301 S. Ellwood Avenue
     Baltimore, MD 21224
    *Registration and post-event activities will be inside the Arena.

Fees:  due April 22nd
     5K Run/Walk $30 (ages 13+), $15 (under age 13)
     10K Run $30 (Must be ages 13+)

Late Fees: after April 22nd and at event
    5K Run/Walk $35 (ages 13+), $20 (under age 13)

    10K Run $35 (Must be ages 13+)

Looking to make a general donation?
Click Here.

Other Questions?

Graul’s Market Does Gluten-Free

2010-03-03T11:35:00.001-05:00

In Baltimore County, the local market, Graul’s, is well-known and well-loved, but until recently, not known for its selection of specialty gluten-free foods. It appears that may be changing however. Just last week, I went into Graul’s (Ruxton location) for a gallon of milk I’d forgotten during my regular grocery shopping run and noticed a gluten-free display set up near the produce aisle. They were featuring Bob’s Red Mill products (including the favorite gluten-free Mighty Tasty hot cereal), Betty Crocker’s gluten-free cookie, brownie and cake mixes (for $2.99, the cheapest price I’ve found -- possibly a special introductory price), and snickerdoodle cookies and blueberry muffins from local Baltimore bakery, Sweet Sin.

I picked up a package of Sweet Sin muffins and a bag of gluten-free candy from a natural foods company out of Germany I hadn’t heard of before called Seitenbacher. I opened the candy right away to quiet my squirmy toddler and snuck a piece of the fruity strawberry candy myself. It was delicious and we’ve since been back for more Seitenbacher candies. Graul’s also had gluten-free egg noodles (hard to find!), instant soups called ‘hot snacks’ in tomato, vegetable and potato varieties, instant sauce mixes, muesli, cornflakes and energy bars all made by Seitenbacher.

I spoke with the manager about their new gluten-free goodies. He told me they were recently added in response to requests from customers for more gluten-free items. When I asked about the availability at other locations, he said the Mays Chapel store has had a gluten-free specialty section for over a year. Thanks Graul’s!

Locations throughout Maryland:
Annapolis | Cape St. Claire | Hereford | Mays Chapel | Ruxton | St. Michaels

-Christine

Bringing Gluten-Free Chicago to Baltimore. It's a Win.

2010-03-01T10:00:00.000-05:00

Da Luciano's
8343 W Grand Ave
River Grove, IL 60171
708-453-1000
dalucianos.com

This wonderful restaurant is near Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Why am I mentioning it to Baltimore area celiacs? Because they will now SHIP gluten free food!! They offer gluten free food I have literally never seen elsewhere including gluten free ravioli, tiramisu, cannoli, and much more. Check out their website! My husband - who does not have celiac disease - says their gluten free food doesn’t taste gluten-free. (Doesn’t taste like it’s missing anything.) All I can say is I am very happy whenever I eat their food.

This restaurant is owned by a husband and wife who have children with Celiac disease so they really know how to cook for celiacs. If you’re ever in Chicago, it’s a must visit.

-Susan

Longing for Gluten-Free Pasta at an Italian Restaurant? We have three for you.

2010-02-25T13:08:00.012-05:00

Susan wrote to use about these two great options. We're ready to go eat some pasta, and can't contain our excitement, so we're sharing with you. Get excited, and let us know your pasta experience at Ciao Bella, Aldo's, and/or Pizzazz Tuscan Grille!

Ciao Bella
236 S High Street
Baltimore MD 21202
(410) 685-7733
cbella.com

Have you ever longed for genuine Italian pasta but your longing couldn't be satisfied because you have celiac disease? You don’t have to wait any longer! This lovely restaurant in the middle of Baltimore’s little Italy area is very friendly towards celiacs. If you bring your own gluten free pasta, they will make the pasta and put on any sauce you choose. My favorite is pasta a capri, which is a mixture of seafood (shrimp, clams, scallops) in a creamy white sauce. Most Italian pasta dishes are gluten free, as long as the pasta itself is gluten free. Make your reservation by phone. Mention when you make the reservation that you have celiac disease and you will bring your own pasta. Never hurts to follow up the day before your reservation. You will likely be asked for your pasta as soon as you walk in the restaurant. If you forget to bring your own pasta, no problem! Walk to Whole Foods just a few blocks south of the restaurant and buy gluten free pasta from there. I personally prefer the corn based pasta (as opposed to the rice based pasta). By the way, this restaurant is owned by Chef Gambino who you might have seen on TV. It’s a real treat to eat here and well worth the drive!

Aldo's
306 South High Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202
410.727.0700
aldositaly.com
This wonderful restaurant in Baltimore's Little Italy neighborhood has FRESH gluten free pasta! I could not believe my ears when the waiter told me that they have fresh gluten free pasta. I had to of course try it out. I had their GF pasta with wild boar ragu sauce. It was one of the best meals of my entire life. The ragu sauce is very rich and complements the pasta. The wild boar ragu sauce is not a regular menu item; they only have it certain times. The waiter told me however that they generally have fresh GF pasta on the weekends. Just to be sure, though, call a day or two ahead and let them know you will want their GF pasta. It's awesome!!

We can't forget about Pizzazz, our current favorite, which is the restaurant that makes us feel the most normal. We can get almost anything from the menu and know it's going to be great. From sandwiches to pizza to pasta, anything that normally would be off limits is a-ok.

Gluten-Free and Looking for Your New Favorite Place to Eat (that's not your kitchen?) Your answer is: Pizzazz Tuscan Grille. Go, Now!

2010-02-20T11:20:00.008-05:00

www.pizzazztuscangrille.com

711 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21202-4320
(410) 528-7772

I've now been to Pizzazz Tuscan Grille more than 5 times, and I'm always delighted with my meal. I thought the only place I could get a gluten-free sandwich -- with the bread -- was either from my kitchen at home or Lilit Cafe in Bethesda, MD. It turns out that Pizzazz Tuscan Grille right in Baltimore is serving up an outstanding selection of gluten-free friendly items. Sandwiches are served on chewy, not crumbly, gluten-free rolls. The crust for the last pizza I had was on a Whole Foods Market Gluten-free Bakehouse crust. If you've eaten one of these crusts, they are dense and heavy, but delicious and (once again) have some chew to them, rather than the typical crumbly and sandy mess that has been the foundation for so many gluten-free items for the past 15 years.

Pizzazz is attached to the Pier 5 Hotel, but from what I can tell, caters not only to the hotel guests, but also to Baltimore's own. With a distinct atmosphere that combines seated dining areas, a bar, order-out, and outdoor seating (when the city isn't encapsulated by three feet of snow and ice), Pizzazz is offering up the right combination right in the downtown Baltimore area. From great food (check out their menu) to a hospitable staff who get to know the regulars and hotel guests with ease.

To be honest, I've only been for Brunch and Lunch, but I'll be going back for Breakfast and Dinner because I want to try a gluten-free pasta dish prepared somewhere other than in my kitchen at home. Plus, there are so many options, it's going to take quite a few visits, and that's ok by me...as well as the family and friends I take with me.

If you're still on the fence about whether you'll go or not, check out their extensive menus. But, seriously, I can't imagine you'd be disappointed.

-Kate

Chutney: Try it; you just might like it.

2009-12-27T19:34:00.017-05:00

Chutney was the name of the game this year. I like to give edible gifts to my family and friends during the holidays. I like to find something that I've always wanted to try making, but never really gotten around to whipping up. So, this year I had a kitchen overflowing with chutney. In the end I had four different kinds, each very distinctive.

Spicy Cranberry-Blueberry Chutney

(adapted from a recipe found at foodnetwork.com)

6 cups fresh cranberries

2 cups frozen blueberries

2 shallots, minced

2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced

*Leave the seeds for a super spicy chutney!

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 1/2 cups light brown sugar, packed

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 1/2 cups red-wine vinegar

2 tbsp. minced fresh ginger

2 tbsp. whole mustard seeds

1 tbsp. minced orange zest

1 tbsp. minced lemon zest

2 tsp. salt

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Mix so cranberries and blueberries are covered. Place over high heat, and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, stirring often until the berries have broken down and everything has become nice and gooey. You'll be able to hear the cranberries popping during this time. As I made it, the sound was like that of popping popcorn. The mixture will start to thicken. Continue simmering and stirring occasionally for another 10-15 minutes. Let cool completely. The mixture will continue to thicken as it cools.

Once cool, ladle the chutney into clean jars and refrigerate. Chutney can be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

What do I do with it now?

Serve with a peppercorn pork-tenderloin
Add as a spicy-sweet addition to a cheese and cracker plate
Spread it on ham sandwiches. Especially those post-holiday ham leftovers' sandwiches.

Pear & Tomato Chutney

(adapted from a recipe found at cooks.com)

2 (20 oz.) cans pears, one drained, one undrained

1 (20 oz.) can whole, peeled tomatoes, undrained

1 medium green pepper, seeded & finely diced

1 medium onion, peeled & chopped

1 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup apple cider vinegar

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. ground ginger

1/2 tsp. whole mustard seeds

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 small can pimento, chopped.

Combine all ingredients, except for pimento, in a large pot. Mix to combine. Place over medium-high heat and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Use the edge of a spoon to break up the pears and tomatoes into smaller chunks. Once mixture has thickened, add the pimento and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Let cool.

Once cool, ladle the chutney into clean jars and refrigerate. Chutney can be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

What do I do with it now?

Serve with a variety of meats, fish, and/or grilled vegetables.

Spiced Apple Chutney

(adapted from a recipe found at foodnetwork.com)

1/2 cup red currant jam

6 tbsp. cider vinegar

2 tbsp. unsalted butter

4 tsp. minced, peeled fresh ginger

1 tsp salt

2 tsp. Madras curry powder

2 cinnamon sticks

1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 red onion, chopped

6 soft cooking apples, such as McIntosh, peeled, seeded, large dice

4 tablespoons dried cranberries

4 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves, chopped.

In a large, heavy saucepan, stir together all ingredients, except the cilantro. Cook over moderately high heat, stirring until apples are lightly coated. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, stirring occasionally until apples have softened to desired consistency -- approximately 20 to 30 minutes. Let cool. Remove cinnamon sticks.

Once cool, ladle the chutney into clean jars and refrigerate. Chutney can be kept refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

What do I do with it now?

Serve with pork chops.
Add to wild rice as a side dish.

Of course, you could just purchase it:

Candied Walnut and Apple Salad

2009-12-27T19:19:00.004-05:00

Serves 8

Mix the following ingredients in a large salad bowl:

8 cups mixed greens

2 medium Granny Smith apples, sliced into matchstick-sized pieces

1 pint grape-sized tomatoes, sliced in half

1 cup dried cranberries

Gorgonzola Cheese, optional

Candied Walnuts

Serve with Red Currant Vinaigrette (see recipe below)

Red Currant Vinaigrette

1/3 cup red currant jam

4 tsp. rice vinegar

4 tsp. apple cider vinegar

1 tbsp. dry white wine

1 tsp. Dijon mustard

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Combine all ingredients, except olive oil, in food processor. Blend until smooth. Slowly add olive oil to desired consistency.

Happy? Holidays - Yes!

2009-12-19T11:08:00.008-05:00

We, here at Gluten Free in Baltimore, love giving edible gifts because they don't stay around to create more clutter. But, what do you do when that family member, co-worker, or friend is gluten-free? Let us help you with your search.

We happened to stumble across a delicious site: foodzie.com. Check out what Foodzie has to offer...the pictures make our mouths water. Not only did we find some great gifts, we were introduced to many new gluten-free specialty bakers.

But, right here in Baltimore, we have our very own bakery: Brunie's Bakery. Brunie's makes vegan and gluten-free goodies, and we just can't get enough. Our vegan friends and non-vegan friends are satisfied and can share the same dessert.

A Bountiful Harvest

And for those of you who want to try something new, something different, something delectable, check out Vosges Chocolate. As gluten-free folk know, we aren't used to a lot of choices, but Vosges Chocolate brings us luxury and the exotic, all from a kitchen in Chicago.

Triumph Dining's Top 10 Gluten-Free Gifts for 2009

A Guilty Pleasure In Our Own Backyard

2009-11-21T08:22:00.001-05:00

Sweet Sin Bakery has opened a retail store near Charles Village. I can't praise this bakery enough. Everything they make is delicious. They also serve my favorite local coffee, Zeke's Coffee.

I went in one morning and wanted some comfort food. For me, comfort food is 'bread' products. I bought a loaf of bread, 4 muffins, a cupcake and a large coffee. While I was in the store I also got to sample a slice of pumpkin pie, a regular slice not a 'sample size'. The crust was perfect, light, flaky and sweet. I expressed how much I liked the pie and was offered another slice.

I'm making Sweet Sin my guilty pleasure at least once a week.

http://www.glutenfreedesserts.com/

http://www.zekescoffee.com/

Hope you can get there soon! It's worth it!

Monica

Gluten Free Specials!

2009-11-07T19:20:00.000-05:00

According to their website, Great Sage Restaurant plans to feature Gluten Free Specials on the first Wednesday of every month. Check it out:

5809 Clarksville Square Drive

Clarksville, Md 21029

443.535.9400

www.great-sage.com

Woodberry Kitchen: consistently delicious

2009-11-07T19:10:00.004-05:00

This past weekend I enjoyed a fantastic gluten-free meal at Woodberry Kitchen. The bustling eatery has already been reviewed by Gluten Free in Baltimore, but I thought I'd add another happy dining experience to the blog. For those who haven't been, Woodberry Kitchen has a gluten-free menu with only slightly fewer choices than the regular menu. With so many options, I labored over the decision of what to order -- until the server dropped off a plate of warm gluten-free bread. It was only the second time I've had gluten-free bread in a restaurant (the first was at Hemingway's in Killington, VT). With soft, warm bread, the decision was easier -- I wanted soup to start. So, I kicked off the meal with a bowl of velvety Heirloom Pumpkin Soup, lapped up with warm gluten-free bread. For dinner I chose a vegetarian option, the Hot Pot with a smoky cauliflower sauce. Importantly, the menu pointed out in obvious, large font that they do not have a dedicated gluten-free fryer. I appreciated being immediately informed of that potential source of cross-contamination (for dishes with French fries, crispy onions, etc., ask for them to be left off or swapped out for something else). I also appreciated how the staff announced "gluten-free" as they dropped off each dish -- they were paying attention.

Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Week

2009-09-12T18:12:00.000-04:00

Starting next Monday, September 14, Trader Joes will be offering gluten-free samples and cooking ideas at their Towson store. “We thought it would be different and fun,” says the clerk who told me about their plans for “gluten-free week” after seeing gluten-free rice bread, English muffins and pasta in my cart.

Note: Only the Towson location will be doing gluten-free demos.

Trader Joe’s No Gluten products.

Trader Joe's Towson (649)

1 E. Joppa Rd.

Towson, MD 21286

Phone Number: 410-296-9851

Trading Hours: 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

Pizzazz Tuscan Grille

2009-09-12T08:57:00.009-04:00

My personal favorite email thus far:

Hi,

I saw a menu online of Pizzazz that says they have gluten-free bread for sandwiches and cornmeal crust for pizzas upon request. I haven't been yet, so I don't know how good any of it is, but I thought it was worth letting you guys know. The website is http://www.pizzazztuscangrille.com/index.html. Thanks for having a site for those of us in Baltimore that have celiac!

Thanks,

(Gluten Free in Baltimore Reader)

Pizzazz Tuscan Grille

711 Eastern Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21202

Phone: 410.528.7772

Hours:

M-Th - 6am to 9pm

Fr-Sa - 6am to 10pm

Sun - 7am to 6pm

***From the online menu: Whole wheat bread or gluten free bread can be substituted on most of our sandwiches. Rice or soy cheese can be substituted for $1.50 extra.

Kali’s Court Mezze

2009-09-03T17:53:00.002-04:00

I recently dined at Mezze, the small plates Mediterranean Restaurant in Fell’s Point. A friend told me he’d noticed they have a lot of gluten-free options so I had to check it out. I discovered that more than half of the 40 plus plates are gluten-free. The menu marks dishes that are gluten-free with two asterisks. One asterisk indicates the dish is vegan (but not necessarily gluten-free).

The food is amazing, but I had a hard time relaxing and trusting their gluten-free know-how. For example, the asparagus plate was marked gluten-free, but was topped with brown bread crumbs. I asked the server if they were gluten-free bread crumbs and he replied “No, the bread crumbs need to be left off the plate if you want it gluten-free.” I inquired about the fried items like Falafel and was told they’re fried in the same oil as the Spinach Fritters, which are not gluten-free. A final disappointment was the gluten-free Baba Ghanoush that I ordered came with a side of pita crisps for dipping. With a busy (and annoyed) server, I clumsily ate it with a fork.

The other thing that made me uneasy was the very nature of small plates, tapas-style dining: it’s meant to be shared. Sharing gluten-containing and gluten-free dishes can be tricky, especially when they come out in close succession and, as in our case, the wait staff doesn’t explain what plate is being dropped off. At our tiny table, we had ten small plates to keep track of. It would be helpful if the gluten-free plates could be marked or colored (this is asking for a lot, I know).

-Christine

Ben & Jerry's: Our New Favorites

2009-08-07T18:10:00.002-04:00

My birthday was Sunday, and I love ice cream cake, but I haven't been able to enjoy any for a while. Ben & Jerry's is my new hero. See, the Dairy Queen, Carvel, and Maggie Moo's cakes all have a cookie crumble or cake layer or both. Ben & Jerry's allows you to have a gluten-free cake.

You have two options: 1. All ice cream or 2. Bring in your own filling, such as cookies or brownies.

Then you place a special order. The Ben & Jerry's that I visited had a binder at the counter that listed all the gluten-free ice creams. I chose Phish Food and Vanilla, chose my cake style from the catalog, and handed over my brownies. The clerk wrote "GLUTEN-FREE - USE CUSTOMER BROWNIES" in the special instructions. Even better: we got a $3 discount for bringing in our own brownies.

I came back a day and a half later to pick it up, and it looked good! It tasted good too. As you can see in the picture below, there are two layers of brownie or cookie alternated with two layers of your choice of ice cream. I chose the chocolate frosting, but there is vanilla as well.

Check out the Ben & Jerry's Website for a location near you!

Cookbooks Can be Fun

2009-08-05T17:52:00.002-04:00

Generously posted to our blog by Mikki Black

(http://hereswhatletsdo.blogspot.com)

Recently, I was contacted in regards to a new cookbook: Gluten Free Every Day by Chef Robert Landolphi. Would I like a free preview copy? No strings attached. Feel free to write about it on your blog, but you don't have to. um... .... ... YES!

Shortly thereafter, the book arrived, and I began to read. Turns out it's not just a cookbook.

The whole first chapter, "Gluten Free Basics", is informative. Each successive chapter begins with a quick breakdown of what you need to know to cook the type of food in that chapter. Some of these informational segments are just a few sentences, and others, such as chapter three: "Entrees", for example, you get a two page list of possible coatings to replace the traditional flour breading. (THANK YOU!)

I wish I had had this book last year when I was first diagnosed. I didn't know which way to turn, and it seemed that almost all the books I came across were either way too organic or too gourmet for my tastes and style (or they just had awful foods! Bleah.)

This book is excellent for someone who is just starting out. It's easy to read and it does not contain the words "for dummies" (for me, this is super-important). It's also a fairly versatile book. It has recipes that would appeal to a variety of people: Here's a short list of some of the items it contains:

Beer-Battered Onion Rings (super yummy, and a little spicy)
Baked beans
Cranberry-Hazelnut Rice Stuffing
Shrimp and Vegetable Pad Thai
White Chicken Chili
Ricotta Cream Berry Trifle
Parmesean-Pesto Chicken with Pecans

Whether you're just starting out on your gluten free life or you've been at it a while and are just looking for something new and interesting, this is a good book. I hope you like it as much as I do.

Zeer-It

2009-08-03T17:13:00.002-04:00

I recently toured and demo-ed the food search engine, Zeer.com. Zeer.com services numerous food preferences, such as dairy-free, nut-free, sugar-free, and organic; however, its gluten-free "community" is huge, with over 30,000 products already in its database and new ones added daily. Here's a snapshot of how Zeer.com gluten-free works:

You type in a food item, for example: College Inn Chicken Stock and it brings up a photo of the chicken stock with a bold symbol indicating its gluten status (there are four possibilities based loosely on color-coded traffic signals):

Check Mark: Labeled gluten-free
Question Mark: Appears to be gluten-free (not labeled as such, but Zeer.coom experts have examined the product and determined it appears to be free of ingredients containing gluten)
Caution Sign: May contain gluten (some products get this labeling if there's concern about cross contamination)
Stop Sign: Contains gluten

If your favorite chicken stock contains gluten, Zeer.com recommends gluten-free alternatives. You can also search for gluten-free foods by categories, such as "cereal" or "snacks." There's a drink category, which includes beer and spirits. You can also create gluten-free grocery lists and share them with friends and family directly from the website.

What to know about Zeer.com:

Every product in the database has a "last confirmed date." While products are updated regularly and all "last confirmed dates" are within the last twelve months, you can vote on products you want updated in an expedited fashion.
They have an impressive staff of celiac experts and nutritionists reviewing the status of every product. At least two people code each statement for wheat, rye, barley, and oats. If there is any disagreement about the coding, it is reviewed by a third expert at Zeer.com.
They highlight and box key ingredients such as "Carmel Color" and "Modified Food Starch" and provide detailed explanations about why they are gluten-free or gluten-containing. You can learn a lot from Zeer.com.

All this gluten-free expertise and organization isn't free though. To get full access to Zeer.com, you need to subscribe for $14.95 a month. (note: you can get Zeer.com as an iPhone app). In the future they may offer quarterly or annual subscriptions. They're also working on enhancements like being able to join multiple communities at once, for example, joining both the gluten-free and dairy-free communities so that those with both gluten and dairy intolerances can filter searches for products meeting both their dietary restrictions. In addition, they may add over-the-counter drugs and health and beauty grocery items to the database. The convenience may soon have many of us "zeering it."

http://www.zeer.com

-Christine

A Starbucks on Every Corner

2009-07-25T10:00:00.004-04:00

I loved the Valencia Cake from Starbucks. It made me feel 'normal' to say: yes, I'd like a cake with my coffee. Well, bah hum bug... Starbucks is no longer serving their gluten-free cake. They claim that it wasn't nutritious enough and have replaced it with a nut-type bar.

Thanks to that, now I'll have to make my own cake... when will I find time to do that?!

I'm off to eat a pint of ice cream.

Monica

Doesn't Everyone Love To Be Fooled By Gluten-Free Products?

2009-07-19T11:40:00.004-04:00

So, there's BIG news! Betty Crocker has 4 gluten-free products out. So far, the two stores where they've been spotted are the SuperFresh in Timonium, MD and the SuperFresh in Hampden. Let's see if we can compile a longer list. I'm sure we can! Add a comment that shows where you found the latest and greatest. I've personally tried the yellow cake mix -- delicious. Monica has bought and baked the Devils Food Cake which "regular gluten eaters cannot tell the difference", and a good friend has tried the chocolate chip cookies, with the same positive results. So, go! Get yourself some gluten-free goodies. See how many people you can fool -- or eat it all yourself, we don't really care either way, just let us know what you think.

(Monica's Caveat: Be careful of store-bought icing. You can read the label, but it doesn't always have the right information. I made the mistake and bought the wrong one and am just now recovering from the consequences of getting glutened. Lesson Learned: Make Your Own Icing. Try this one.)

Let Them Eat Crabcakes

2009-06-17T13:22:00.006-04:00

This past week I was perusing the Whole Foods in downtown Baltimore when I found gluten-free crabcakes, something on my wish list of things I hoped someone would one day make gluten-free. By swapping out wheat bread for rice bread, the Crab Ladies of Frederick Maryland have created if not the first ever gluten-free crabcake, my first gluten-free crabcake. And it was good.

There are three varieties (they all come frozen, but warm up wonderfully): the classic Original Maryland, Artichoke Three Cheese, or Bacon and Gruyere.

Try them as they are, or with Cucumber Cream Sauce:

(Recipe from The Southern Living Cookbook 1999 Oxmoor Press)

Prep: 10 min

1 medium seedless cucumber

½ cup sour cream

1 tablespoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon grated onion

¼ teaspoon pepper

Peel cucumber. Grate enough cucumber to measure ½ cup. Combine grated cucumber, sour cream and remaining ingredients, stirring well. Cover and chill. Yield: 1 cup

A word of caution, the Crab Ladies also make conventional crabcakes, so be sure to pick up the right package. Also be sure your wallet is ready for the hit it’s going to take – these crabcakes aren’t cheap. At $17.99 for a package of two crabcakes or $2.25 per ounce (at Whole Foods), they’ll make a serious dent in your grocery budget. But for the price, you get not only a lot of crab (these cakes are heavy on the crab), you get the confidence that they are, in fact, gluten-free. The Crab Ladies ensured their product is gluten-free by having the University of Nebraska’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources test the gliadin levels of the crabcakes to ensure they came out BLD - below detectable levels. You can see the results of the gliadin testing results on the Crab Ladies website.

In addition to finding them at Whole Foods, you can order the crabcakes by phone (online ordering is coming). http://www.thecrabladies.com/index.html

Training & Competing Gluten Free

2009-06-13T16:37:00.010-04:00

This spring I competed in my first Duathlon and the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer (40 miles of walking) I wanted to be prepared for my events. And, as any athlete knows, part of the training is food choices. There are many choices, but it's important to ask the right questions: what will work for me? What will hold up on long bike rides and hours of walking? AND what will taste the best?

I scoured the Internet for athletes with Celiac Disease and found very little. As my housemate pointed out, the problem with looking for Celiac athletes is that they are most likely hardcore athletes and their food choices are less than desirable. I did, however, find some very nice products that are Gluten Free, taste good, and provide the needed fuel for training and competing.

Monica's Suggestions...

When you go to an athletic event, BYOF Bring your own food!!!

I found these products at Whole Foods, REI, or the local grocery store:

- Stingg fruit chews
- Powdered Gatorade

I'm allergic to glycerin also...

- Nature Valley Roasted Nut Crunch

Almond flavor
- Lara Bars – any flavor
- Cliff Bar Nectar - any flavor
- Gu – apple cinnamon
- Bagels by Glutino

- Hamburger buns: Whole Foods Bakehouse.
- Trail mix, whatever you like but this is what I use:
   Enjoy Life – cinnamon granola
   Salted Cashew pieces
   Raisins
   Raw Almonds
   Dried cherries

- As toppings for bread products I use peanut butter & honey or meat & cheese.

Training Gluten-Free

The Iron Celiac
Training Is Fun
NY Times on athletes with Celiac Disease

Go Team Gluten Free!

-Monica

The Joy of Discovery

2009-06-07T16:13:00.006-04:00

This weekend I've come across a new favorite recipe. It just so happened to be on the outside of a Sun of Italy package of polenta. I don't think I've ever actually followed a recipe as it's written, so if you happen to be looking at the package, the following is close, but has been tweaked!

1 pkg. Sun of Italy Polenta

1/2 C. butter (salted)

1 bag frozen, chopped spinach (12 oz.), thawed and drained

1/3 cup light cream

1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

Melt 1/4 C. butter in a large pan, until it becomes slightly foamy. Add the spinach and cream. Cook over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes. Stir in Parmesan Cheese. Turn off burner.

Slice the Polenta into 1/4 inch slices. In a separate pan, melt the remaining butter over medium-high heat. Add the slices of Polenta. Cook for about 5 minutes, flip and cook until edges are crispy and golden brown.

Serve sliced polenta topped with spinach mixture.

Yum!

A Gluten-Free Cookout

2009-05-23T18:13:00.004-04:00

We've decided that Memorial Day is tied with the 4th of July for second worst holiday to be gluten-free. What's first? Thanksgiving, of course!

No, really, the grill's fired up & the gluten lovers are ready to go...spreading out those hamburger and hot dog buns everywhere. The crumbs blowing in the breeze make us suspect of everything, even that green salad (without croutons) that your cousin brought for you. And you want to scream, wait a second! What about us??? Keep the poison away! If we just checked to see which hot dogs & sausage are gluten-free, we could save ourselves a lot of heartache. Monica helped us out and got the info: So double check your meats here. And we totally agree with Monica when she writes "My favorite bread just happens to be the hamburger buns from Whole Foods Bakehouse. I use the buns as my regular bread for every kind of sandwich."

*If you're a regular reader, you may be thinking that Whole Foods is paying us for our consistent raving about their amazing foods, but we don't get a cent. It's what true love for an outstanding gluten-free product will do to you!

As a reminder, before we get you too psyched up for a Memorial Day filled with great foods, please be cautious about carelessly accepting marinades & condiments as gluten-free. Not every ketchup can be like Heinz and incorporate us into their world. And, please don't forget about the ubiquitous cross-contamination on the grill (Please cook your meats on a piece of foil, then on the grill!). You can thank Monica in the days following your Memorial Day BBQ when you're still feeling great for these reminders!

Now moving on and solving a few of your food dilemmas:

Problem: Pasta Salad

GF Solution: Substitute GF Pasta, such as Tinkyada, and you're good to go!

Potential Problem: Potato Salad

GF Solution: It sounds Gluten-Free, but has many sources of hidden gluten, so inspect first, double check, then eat.

Problem: Beer

GF Solution: Why Gluten-Free Beer of course! Redbridge is the easiest to find, but if you have the same sense of taste that we do, please avoid Bard's Tale -- you'll regret the purchase after the first sip.

Please send us your favorite recipes so we can share with our other readers for future cookouts!

Best wishes for a Safe & Gluten Free Memorial Day from,

Everyone Here at Gluten Free in Baltimore

Take Action: Educate & Advocate for Celiac Disease

2009-05-23T17:58:00.003-04:00

As we head into the final days of May, we here at Gluten Free in Baltimore would like to urge you to Take Action!

To meet the needs of patients with celiac disease Congress needs to know how many Americans have the condition. What else? They need to know the symptoms and treatment and the concerns or problems affecting those with the condition. In just 60 seconds, you can give this important information to your Representative. Educate and Advocate -- Do it TODAY!

Celiac Controversy

2009-05-17T10:17:00.007-04:00

May 4th has come and gone. "What?" You ask was so special about May 4th? (Reminder).

Controversy is surrounding Elisabeth Hasselbeck's new book The G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide (Click Here to Read an Excerpt). To look at the book in depth, we suggest a trip over to its website. We're going to leave it up to you to decide how you feel about this book, and would love for you to comment. Below you will find several viewpoints so you can piece together your opinion.

From Gluten-Free Bloggers:

Book Reviews from Paid Editors and Unpaid Readers

From the Medical Community:

Celiac Colleagues:

I am writing to call your attention to the current publicity surrounding the new book, The G-free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide by Elisabeth Hasselbeck, co-host of The View. While it is important to call attention to celiac disease, the information must be accurate - the inaccuracies in this book are potentially dangerous and detrimental to celiacs and to those yet to be diagnosed if people self diagnose and start eating GF. Our mission is to assist in getting people accurately diagnosed and the message in this book could defeat this mission. It appears that this book is being marketed as a fitness diet - eat g-free and feel so much better. Celiac is incorrectly referred to as an allergy not an autoimmune disease.

The GF diet is the medically mediated prescription that controls the condition for a diagnosed celiac. Several items in the book are misleading and inaccurate and place further limitations on the GF diet. The gluten-free lifestyle is a lifelong commitment for the diagnosed celiac, not an option, not a fad diet - adhering to the GF lifestyle requires patience and persistence. This lifestyle can not be trivialized.

Thank you.

Elaine Monarch
Founder & Executive Director
Celiac Disease Foundation

Elizabeth Hasselbeck discusses G-Free on Good Morning America:

So what do you think?

The Fresh Market

2009-05-09T23:50:00.010-04:00

The Fresh Market is what I'd like to categorize as a "boutique-style" grocery store: Its layout is similar to that of an open-air market, yet it boasts an intimacy that is created with spectacular lighting, displays, and product placement.

The Produce section appears almost to be in technicolor. And (if it's possible) the Deli, Meat, and Seafood counters also offer the same beauty usually only constructed by food stylists with inedible products. The Bakery is undeniably home to some fine artisans and craftsmen who give "fresh" a new name. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a single offering of anything gluten-free; which--I must say--was quite disappointing. I would imagine that these bakers and pastry chefs have the ability and knowledge of the science of baking necessary to create some darn good gluten-free products. Perhaps they're worried about cross-contamination or that the gluten-free goods will become the ugly stepchildren to the glamorous golden Asiago and Sundried Tomato bread?

The Packaged Goods and Freezer sections contain a surprising mix of mainstream and specialty products. Bella Cucina products reside alongside Pepperidge Farm products. However, there are no clear gluten-free labels, and there is no designated gluten-free section. The gluten-free products' list they offer is a basic Excel spreadsheet compiled on-the-fly by store employees, and it is by no means complete. This would not have been such a shock several years ago, but in today's world, it felt odd.

If you are looking for a way to spend some time reading and decoding labels (in a space that is just waiting to make its Food Network debut) this is where you would want to be. And, while you will spend time in the search, the prices are highly competitive. For reasons still unknown, I happen to have memorized the price ranges of Alexia frozen french fries. Fresh Market offers these for an astoundingly low $2.19, as opposed to the typical $2.79 range. Impressive for a place with such an air of glamour and luxury.

It's true: The Fresh Market has not yet jumped on the Gluten-Free Friendly Marketing Bandwagon. Perhaps they have not yet been informed of the statistics showing 1 in 133 people are likely to have Celiac Disease, and the countless others (such as those with autism and fibromyalgia) who benefit from following a gluten-free diet.

It wouldn't be surprising, though, if within the coming months--as the Gluten-Free Diet itself continues to go mainstream--Fresh Market follows suit. While it certainly is not competitive on the grounds of being "Gluten-Free Friendly" like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's, and Wegmans; for those who maintain their gluten-free diets primarily through fruits and vegetables, meats and cheeses, Fresh Market offers a new beautiful--and relatively affordable--option.

Currently, the only Fresh Market in Maryland is located in Quarry Lake, 2510 Quarry Lake Drive, Baltimore, MD 21209. There will be a second location opening in Annapolis.

Starbucks Offering Gluten-Free Goodies!

2009-05-08T15:50:00.026-04:00

A few weeks ago, I read a blog post on Starbucks' site about test marketing a gluten-free pastry. They were looking for ideas on the kind of pastry, how they should package/display it, and what things they should watch out for, especially in terms of cross-contamination. I was thrilled -- I miss the days of having a pastry with my tea, despite all the extra calories! The word was they were going to test-market the product this summer, but not necessarily in all stores. I decided not to get my hopes up -- gluten-free pastries to-go from a mainstream coffee shop seemed just too good to be true!

On my walk into work in the mornings, I occasionally like to stop in at the Starbucks in The Gallery on Calvert & Pratt (downtown Baltimore for those of you outside the city!). I love their tall, soy, iced chais, especially as the weather warms up! My coworkers were all having donuts at a floor meeting this morning, so I decided to treat myself instead of feeling left out. When I walked up to the counter, my eye caught the little sign advertising Gluten-Free Valencia Orange cakes -- individually wrapped to avoid cross-contamination from the other pastries! I started to get excited, and was thrilled when I found out that not ONLY are they gluten-free, but they're also dairy-free (and soy and tapioca-free for those of you with other allergies)! And these cakes are delicious - moist, perfectly sweet, and oh-so-gluten-free-yummy. It was worth the $1.95 I paid, and I'll definitely be buying them again in the future!

For more info on these delectable new goodies, check out Starbucks' Newsroom page dedicated to them. There's also a celiac.com discussion thread going about them here.

-Lynnae

Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen

2009-05-06T16:28:00.004-04:00

745 East Fort Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21230

410-727-PITA

www.babaskitchen.net

Downtown Baltimore has a new celiac-friendly restaurant: Baba's Mediterranean Kitchen. While I haven't been able to check it out in person yet, I've done some research and spoken with owner, Farid Bishara Salloum, to get the gluten-free scoop.

As the online menu states (or rather, tempts), many of the dishes are indeed gluten-free. The Dolmas, Hummus, Baba Ghannouge, Gareed's Falafel, B's Burger, the Veggie pocket, and Chicken and Lamb kabobs are gluten free. By avoiding pita and opting for rice, most menu items are gluten-free. Salloum actually swapped out the traditional ingredient, bulgur wheat, from the Tabouleh Salad and replaced it with quinoa to make it gluten-free. Salloum learned about the gluten-free diet through his sister-in-law, who is allergic to gluten, and from his late father, who followed the diet for a period of time. Notably, the restaurant is named for Salloum's father, "Baba" is "father" in Arabic.

Baba's Kitchen does take-out as well as dine-in.

Take Me Out to the Gluten-Free Ball Game!

2009-05-03T18:43:00.007-04:00

Gluten Free and Take Me Out To The Ball Game rarely coincide, but on Thursday, May 14th, the Bowie Baysox are hosting Food Allergy Awareness Night. In addition to this great event, you can find Noah's gluten-free pretzels at Orioles' games at Camden Yards. (For those Nationals' fans out there, you too can enjoy Noah's gluten-free pretzels! Check out where to find them by clicking here.)

BOWIE, Md. - The Bowie Baysox are getting ready for Food Allergy Awareness Night on Thursday, May 14. The team is taking the necessary precautions so that fans affected by food allergies, anaphylaxis and celiac disease can see the Baysox take on the Erie SeaWolves at 7:05 p.m.

The team is proud to work with the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, the University of Maryland School of Medicine's Center for Celiac Research, Allergy & Asthma Network: Mothers of Asthmatics and Johns Hopkins Children Center to offer two sections to fans with food allergies.

There will be a FOOD-FREE ZONE in the lower reserved section of Prince George's Stadium with an exclusive entrance on the third base concourse. The section will be cleaned extensively prior to the game and absolutely no food will be permitted in the section during the game. However, fans sitting in the food-free zone will be allowed to bring soda and bottled water into the section. Tickets in this zone will be $11.

In addition to the food-free zone, the Baysox are offering a GLUTEN-FREE SECTION. Seats in the gluten-free section will include a voucher for a hot dog on a gluten-free bun, chips, a regular size soft drink and a gluten-free cookie. Seats in the gluten-free section with the food voucher are $13.50.

To help protect fans, the Baysox will not sell peanuts on the third base concourse during the game. The team will also list every ingredient of every item sold on signs at each concession stand. The Baysox will also raise awareness for food allergies throughout the night with tables on the concourse level.

To purchase seats in the food-free zone or the gluten-free section, fans can contact Promotions Manager Chris Rogers at (301) 464-4855. To guarantee seating within the designated areas, seats must be purchased at least 48 hours before the game.

The Baysox 17th season as the class AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway! Don't miss a moment of the action as the Baysox attempt to bring home their first Eastern League championship. Individual game tickets and ticket packages are available now at www.baysox.com or by calling the Baysox box office at (301) 464-4865.

(Many Thanks to Monica.)

Rice Chex goes Gluten Free!

2009-04-21T16:33:00.004-04:00

Rice Chex is now Gluten Free! [Pause for cheering and applause.] General Mills is taking large steps and offering up their Rice Chex cereal in gluten-free form, with a great big label showing that it is indeed gluten-free. In addition to the product change, they have also offered up several amazingly delicious recipes for Chex Mix. Parties might just be more fun again and include more than just the veggie platter! So exciting...and mouthwatering...

Recipes such as:

Chex® Muddy Buddies®

Ginger-Rice Crunch

Italian Chex® Mix

Chex® Brittle

A new gluten-free read: “G free diet”

2009-04-19T16:28:00.007-04:00

There’s another book about to hit store shelves on the topic of living the (good) gluten-free life, “The G free diet: Gluten-free Survival Guide.” This time it’s penned by a celiac celebrity: Elisabeth Hasselbeck, View co-host and former Survivor: Outback participant.

According the publisher this “all-inclusive” book covers topics like creating “G free” shopping lists, reading food labels and managing “G free” living with family and friends (who are presumably gluten-eaters). I’m interested in the latter issue. I still find it clumsy and awkward to deal with family gatherings and holidays where gluten is the centerpiece.

“G free diet” comes out May 4.

Monica's Goes Grocery Shopping and We Get Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies!

2009-04-16T16:49:00.005-04:00

I started my week with a trip to the grocery store. Yup, the regular ol' grocery store: SuperFresh. They don't have a large selection of specifically gluten-free products, but they do have my weekly staples.

I write the items on my list in the order in which I will walk around the store; it helps me to avoid the unnecessary purchases (like candy and potato chips). Also, since I've started to walk to and from the store, I like to make the trip as quick as possible.

So here it is: The list...

(Directly from my hot pink post-it note):

Soy milk (I still cannot drink cow's milk. Thank you, gut...) -- Silk brand (I've tried other brands and for me this one tastes the best.)
Rice Pudding -- Kozy Shack
Yogurt -- Dannon or Yoplait brands are labeled Gluten Free!
Cream cheese--Philadelphia
Corn tortillas – Pepito
Eggs
Lunch meat – Oscar Mayer (Lucky me! It's on sale this week!)
Canned Black beans -- Goya or Hanover
Tomato Soup -- Pacific
Canned tuna -- Chicken of the Sea
Canned chicken – Valley Fresh, read the label, it should say GF, if it doesn't, err on not trying it.
Rice Chex Cereal -- General Mills
Peanut Butter--Jif Brand, but I also have 'natural' versions of peanut butter that are just as delicious and w/o the extra stabilizers and stuff, but Jif is the best to make my favorite cookies!
Banana
Pear

There are plenty of items that I already have in the pantry and freezer that I can add to this week's staples for my meals. What's already in the pantry and freezer:

Frozen broccoli and spinach -- store brand
Whole Foods Bakehouse -- pizza crust and sandwich bread
Glutino bagels
Canned diced tomatoes (usually less expensive and won't spoil) -- store brand
Bag of potatoes
Bag of onions
Fresh garlic and ginger
Corn meal – Quaker
Premade polenta – Sun of Italy
Brown Rice
Rice noodles (found in the Asian section of the store)
Pasta -- DeBoles Corn or Ancient Harvest Quinoa pasta products
Grits – store brand or Quaker
Marinara sauce – Rinaldi original or marinara
Goya's canned tuna stuffed olives (I love Goya!)
Cook and serve pudding – jello
Tortilla chips – Utz, Tostitos
Salsa – many kinds, Mrs. Renfro’s is my current favorite (read the label, it should say GF, if it doesn't, err on not trying it.)
Tofu – NaSoya
Canned pineapple -- store brand
Ground flax seed -- Bob’s Red Mill
Nature Valley Roasted Nut Crunch (It's a new find for me and it's a great price, compared to other bars)
Lara bars -- all the flavors are good
Carnation Instant Breakfast (dark chocolate, all flavors but malt are ok)

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies

2 c. Peanut Butter

1 c. granulated sugar

1 c. brown sugar

1 Tbs. GF vanilla flavoring -- McCormick

4 eggs

1 bag chocolate chips -- Nestle

Preheat Oven to 350 degrees. Mix ingredients together. Drop 1" spoonfuls onto cookie sheet. Bake for 10-12 minutes until slightly browned. Cool and Enjoy.

We baked these cookies at Christmas and I took them to my Super Bowl party. No one knew the difference. It was fun to see the reactions of family and friends when I told them the cookies were gluten free!

Gluten Free doesn't mean that you have to give up what you really love. It gives you a license to be creative!

Welcome to Monica and Her Outstanding Gluten-Free Hunting!

2009-04-04T18:52:00.009-04:00

Monica is our newest associate contributor. She's been quite active on our site for some time now, leaving great comments, and helpful pieces of advice. She's been gluten-free for 2 years now. Living with fibromyalgia, Monica decided to try the gluten-free diet as a potential treatment and form of relief. Two years later, it must be working because she continues to eat gluten-free. As always, we like to introduce our contributors with a list of their favorite foods; Monica's list includes: hummus & carrots, pizza, peanut butter chocolate chip cookies, nuts, lara bars, and a gluten-free diet staple: chips and salsa. In addition to enjoying great gluten-free food, Monica enjoys running & cycling, everything having to do with dogs, and the Avon Breast Cancer Walk.

Monica is a great gluten-free goodies hunter. She brings with her some outstanding news: Gluten-Free Cakes and Cupcakes right here in the Baltimore Metro Area (and D.C.!).

Cakelove

American Can Company

2500 Boston Street, Suite 4B

Baltimore, MD 21224

410.522.1825

Cakelove helped Monica's boyfriend (perhaps he's actually the actual gluten-free goodies hunter in the relationship?) out and he scored bonus points by getting a gluten-free chocolate cake with fresh strawberry icing to share with friends after dinner at Nacho Mamas!

Let's Dish!: The Results

2009-03-28T08:55:00.007-04:00

An hour and a half, $100, and 24 servings of 4 meals later, I had "dished". I'm a little obsessive compulsive about cross-contamination, so I was extra observant about possibilities for some sort of gluten to attack my meals. But, to my surprise, everything was so clean and separate. The staff members were very aware of making sure I knew exactly what I needed to do to ensure my meals would be gluten-free. I have to give a shout-out to Whitney and Jenny at the location in Timonium, who both were extra helpful and understanding.The experience was fun, and made me feel included in the food prep world -- which I haven't really been involved in. Gluten-Free cooking can be lonely, but Let's Dish has welcomed us in with open arms, clean countertops, knowledgeable staff, and gluten-free awareness that hit an entirely new level. I cannot get over just how wonderful the experience was.

To have everything prepared -- ingredients cut up, spices with the appropriate measuring utensil, and packaging easily accessible -- is one of the many reasons I'm going back next month. I think I'll actually end up using my money more wisely if I dedicate $100 a month to meals that can be stored in the freezer for up to 8 weeks. There's going to be less food thrown away and more food eaten! Especially for a gluten-free, single lady, who's busy busy busy...Let's Dish is my new best friend.

Of course, I can't just rave about all of this without actually talking about the real results. If the food was gross, I would not suggest or recommend Let's Dish. While it's nothing extraordinarily gourmet, the food is darn good. I have now eaten the Honey Dijon Chicken with Roasted Carrots, Louisiana Jambalaya, Pesto Salmon, Sweet Potato Fries, and Ranch Potato Chips. I still am looking forward to the Herbed Steaks.

The Honey Dijon Chicken, in my opinion, was a little plain; however, if I decide to make it again, I'll just make it with a little extra sauce, which would take it up that extra notch. The Louisiana Jambalaya was a hit, and so easy to cook. Instead of using their chicken base (which is not gluten-free), it was suggested that when I prepared the dish, I replace the water with chicken broth. Absolutely no problem -- a box of Kitchen Basics Chicken broth -- done.

My ultimate favorite, at the moment, is the Pesto Salmon. Seriously, this dish is extraordinary. I cut a slit in the top of the aluminum foil packet (still frozen), set the packet on a cookie sheet, put it in the oven, and 50 minutes later I was eating some of the tastiest salmon I have eaten in quite some time.

I'm signed up to go dish in April, and I'm looking forward to it.

Let's Dish!

2009-03-21T08:54:00.000-04:00

I'm a busy lady; living gluten-free can be time-consuming. I'm also a teacher, which means I'm not living extravagantly, and I certainly don't have money to spend frivolously. So, I am always looking for ways to cut corners, to save time, to save money, and still eat healthy and delicious food!

For the past few years, I've driven past Let's Dish and always pondered what it would be like, so I've finally decided to take the risk. I've scheduled an appointment to go "dish" at 2pm today. The menu shows which options can be made gluten-free, so I chose several of those.

This is what the Let's Dish website shows as what I should be expecting... Unfortunately, I'm not blonde, so I'm not sure this will match my experience; however, I'm still looking forward to seeing if this could be as great an experience as it appears here:

Uno Chicago Grill, Part II

2009-03-18T19:08:00.000-04:00

Mikki wrote our first review of Uno Chicago Grill. Christine went to the location in Baltimore and had a bit of a different experience.

Uno's Gluten-free pizza...A Work in Progress

Last night I went to Uno's after hearing that their gluten-free pizzas had hit Baltimore. Fellow contributor, Mikki, recently reviewed the Uno's in Woodbridge, VA.

While it was exciting to walk into a main stream pizza place and know I could order a gluten-free pie, I have to admit, the pizza itself was a bit disappointing. I tried the pepperoni pizza ($11.99) and though it had good flavor, the gluten-free crust was dry and crumbly. It wasn't piping hot either, perhaps because the pizza arrives at the restaurant pre-made and frozen (not necessarily a bad thing, cross-contamination-wise, that the pizza is prepared off-site). I'm hoping this is something they may work out over time.

The server told me that Uno's has been really pushing their gluten-free menu, though I have to imagine the pizza is by far the biggest draw (In addition to two pizza choices: pepperoni or cheese/tomato, the gluten-free menu offers salads, sides, steaks, chicken, salmon, burgers, and a vanilla ice cream sundae for dessert.)

I inquired how they keep the gluten-free pizza separated in the kitchen and the server told me that it's cooked in the same oven as the regular pizza, but they're careful about keeping them separated and on different baking trays.

Despite being a little disappointed, I'm sure I'll go back and give it a second chance. After all, pizza is hands-down my most missed food, and I appreciate Uno's efforts, even if they could be improved upon.

So, we want to know...Have you been to Uno's? How was your experience? Let us know!

Costly Crackers

2009-03-17T18:51:00.001-04:00

Anne R. Lee, a nutritionist who specializes in celiac disease, published a research paper in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics in 2007 on the topic of the price of gluten-free foods. To sum up her research in just a few words: the gluten-free diet is pricey. On average, specialty gluten-free foods (bread, pasta, cereal, waffles, cookies, crackers, pretzels, pizza, cake) cost two to three times that of their conventional counterparts. While Lee found that across the board every gluten-free product costs more than wheat-based ones, the most expensive gluten-free product costs more than wheat-based ones, the most expensive gluten-free items she surveyed were "snack" foods: crackers, cake, pretzels and the like.

Interestingly, Lee examined the cost of gluten-free foods in five different geographical regions (New York City and its metro area; Portland, Oregon; Atlanta, Georgia; Rapid City, South Dakota; and Chicago, Illinois) and in four different types of stores (regular grocers; upscale grocers; health food stores; and internet stores). Lee found that in general, geographic location didn't affect the cost of gluten-free foods as much as type of stores. Online shopping was the most expensive, though it offered the best selection, while regular grocery stores were, not surprisingly, the cheapest (and the most limited in selection).

Notably, gluten-free cereal was one food item Lee surveyed that was relatively close in cost to conventional cereal. But instead of being a bright spot for gluten-free shoppers, it probably points more to the fact that cereal in general is an expensive purchase.

It remains to be seen if the projected growth in the gluten-free marketplace meaningfully affects prices. According to Lee's research, the cost of gluten-free foods would have to come way down to match their wheat-based counterparts. And Lee cautions that for some, the prohibitive cost of gluten-free foods could be a barrier to dietary compliance.

Lee, AR et al. (2007) Economic burden of a gluten-free diet. J Hum Nutr Diet 20 pp 423-430.

Is One Sex Spared?

2009-03-05T21:17:00.000-05:00

Is gluten the enemy to more women than men?

At celiac disease support groups, it's perfume, pumps, and purses that tend to dominate the room. The various celiac books and blogs out there sound decidedly feminine with names like "Gluten-free Girl" and "CeliacChicks." And the scant few celiac celebrities are all women: CNN's Heidi Collins, the View's Elisabeth Hasselbeck, and former Massachusetts Lieutenant Governor, Jane Swift. So, it begs the question, are celiac men simply less interested in participating in support groups and penning books about celiac, or are there just fewer of them? Is celiac disease really a predominately female condition?

The research seems to suggest as much. Two studies, one from Italy and the other from Spain, retrospectively examined hospital records of patients diagnosed with celiac and found that it was diagnosed two and four times as often in women, respectively (1, 3). Dr. Peter Green of the Columbia Celiac Disease Center reports a similar figure from his research, finding that more women have celiac at a rate of about three to one (2). This estimate is consistent with other autoimmune diseases like type-1 diabetes, thyroiditis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, which when averaged together, tend to affect women more often than men roughly three times to one (2).

But, that said, men don't necessarily have it easy. According to Dr. Green, men with celiac may have more severe manifestations of the disease. He found that at diagnosis, men may experience worse malabsorption than women, evidenced by their slightly lower cholesterol levels and lower bone density (2).

So while more women may suffer from celiac, men may actuall suffer more. But for both the sexes with celiac, gluten is a formidable enemy.

Bardella, MT, Fredella C., Saladino V., Trovato C., Cesana BM, Quatrinin M., Prampolini L. Gluten intolerance: gender-and age-related differences in symptoms. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2005 Jan;40(1):15-9

Green, Peter HR. Celiac Disease: A Hidden Epidemic. New York: Harper Collins 2006.

Llorente-Alonso MJ, Fernández-Acenero MJ, Sebastián M. Gluten intolerance: sex and age-related features. Can J Gastroenterol. 2006 Nov;20(11):719-22

GlutenFree Bakehouse: Bread, Scones, and Pie. Oh My!

2009-02-26T09:22:00.000-05:00

This is Part II of a new series dedicated to answering the question: What's in Your Pantry?

When Whole Foods Market opened their Gluten Free Bakehouse, (sometime around 2005) everything became a little better. It was a day to be celebrated: bread, personal-sized pies, scones, muffins, brownies, biscuits, cornbread, cookies, pizza crust, pie crusts, cakes & cupcakes...all packaged and sitting there in the freezer section just waiting and wanting for me to eat them.

The Sun-dried Tomato and Roasted Garlic sliced bread, when toasted, is the perfect compliment to a turkey sandwich. The sandwich bread is versatile and works well as toast to accompany eggs and bacon for breakfast, chopped and baked into croutons for a salad for lunch, or slathered with butter, garlic, and parsley for garlic bread to accompany a big gluten-free Italian dinner.

The first product I fell in love with, though, were the Almond Scones. They're huge, so remember to cut them in half. All that needs to be done is let them thaw in the refrigerator, and then eat.

Of course, at Thanksgiving, it was fun to have a pumpkin pie and pecan pie pre-made sitting in my refrigerator.

I also find that their pizza crusts, while not so great for pizza, make a great base for gluten-free focaccia: just brush with olive oil add some herbs and bake: Moist, chewy, and delicious in minutes!

-Kate

Editor-in-Chief

Are Your Lips Making You Sick?

2009-02-24T08:46:00.002-05:00

Last spring, I moved to Baltimore from Durham, North Carolina. Back in Durham, Burt's Bees, the 100% all natural personal care products company, is big business...after all it's headquartered there.

So, not surprisingly, while living in Durham I got hooked on Burt's Bees gluten-free lip gloss and lip shimmer and was relieved upon relocating to Baltimore to find them just about everywhere in Charm City too (CVS, Walgreens, Walmart, Target). Lipstick, lip gloss, shimmers and even chapstick is something gluten-intolerant lips need to worry about. Living Without Magazine reports in the February/March 2009 issue that women "eat" an average of 6 pounds or 96 tubes of lipstick in their lifetime!

Happily, Burt's Bees maintains an updated list of all their gluten-free products, which include lotions, creams, and soaps, with lines for men and babies too: Click Here for a list of products suited for those with gluten intolerances.

My favorites are the gluten-free super shiny lip glosses and lip shimmers. Burt's Bees just launched two new shimmer shades, Caramel and Peony, which I can't wait to see on the shelves of Baltimore area drug stores.

-Christine

Are You Absorbing This?

2009-02-23T20:42:00.000-05:00

Dear Gluten-Free Brain,

You are feeding me the right foods -- no wheat, oats, barley, or rye. I'm feeling better, slowly. The brain fog has disappeared, and those stomach pains have settled down. The bloating, cramping, and other problems "down there" are almost gone too. But, the exhaustion is just not going away. Tired. So tired. Please help.

Yours truly,

Your digestive system.

Dear Digestive System,

I just learned that, while I am abiding strictly to the gluten-free diet, my insides have not healed completely. The little villi that help absorb all those good nutrients have not yet regained their full capacity. The longer I remain gluten-free, the greater the chance of regaining all the villi. I know that cheating on this diet is not even an option because that's almost like saying "I think I want to kill some villi today." But, now that I know I can't just go gluten-free and be good as new, I will work harder. I will add in some extra vitamins and other nutrients to help you along in your healing process. I will ask my doctor about taking supplements for a little while, at least until most of your villi return. I'll avoid dairy for the time being because I know that can be really tough on those tender little villi that are so necessary. In the future, I'll eat ice cream and have milk on my cereal, but for right now, I'll give you a fighting chance. I will make sure that I haven't developed some other mild intolerances -- like to corn or eggs -- that might be causing you exhaustion. Those intolerances will go away in time as well, but if I have to avoid these foods to help you out, I will. I'll also double check any skin lotions I use that may have gluten in them. And, we'll double check any issues of cross-contamination. I know you and I work closely together, so whatever I can do to help you out, just let me know. We'll get through this together: you and me.

From my heart,

Your Brain

welcome. 欢迎. dobrodošli. welkom. bienvenue. καλώς όρισες. bienvenido.

2009-02-21T08:05:00.000-05:00

A big welcome to Lynnae, our newest associate contributor! Lynnae works for World Relief, an international relief and development organization. She works with churches in the United States that are partnering with international field offices. Her focus is primarily on their Asia programs where she is the liaison between the field offices and partners: setting up relationships, helping with communications and training, writing reports, coordinating visits, and more.

Adventure is the name of the game for Lynnae: She loves running and has participated in the Dreaded Druid Hills (one of her favorites...), Survivor Harbor 7, and will be running in the Cherry Blossom 10-miler in D.C. this April. From those of us here who aren't runners, we are majorly impressed Lynnae!

In addition to her international travel, Lynnae is also well-versed in local gluten-free shopping travels. She loves to visit the produce section of any grocery store or Farmer's Market. Wegman's is her one-stop shop, and Whole Foods is where she goes for specialty foods. As many of us gluten-free shoppers understand, Lynnae makes several trips a week to different places (depending on the day!) to find all the things she wants.

When not shopping, cooking, running, or traveling, Lynnae has found some great restaurants in Baltimore that, as she says, are "Lynnae-Friendly": One World Cafe, Smedly's, Akbar, Austin Grill, Ban Thai, Los Mariachis, and Pitango.

As always, we want to know which foods Lynnae loves: Whole Foods Sandwich Bread or GF Pantry Sandwich bread mix, Tinkyada Joy penne pasta, her homemade cookies (made with rice, coconut and almond flour mix) We'll be getting that recipe! In addition to these yummy foods, Lynnae has given us one of the most intriguing pieces of information yet: apparently there is a gluten-free and dairy free cookie-dough ice cream -- We're intrigued, and can't wait to see what else Lynnae has hidden up her sleeve!

Lynnae, welcome to your newest adventure.

From the Desk of Lynnae

2009-02-21T06:58:00.000-05:00

Hello! I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease four years ago. While I didn't realize it at the time, my diagnosis was the best and worst thing that ever happened to me. An avid and adventurous food lover pre-diagnosis, losing so many of my favorite foods and the freedom to try any new ones was devastating. My mom put it well: discovering I could no longer eat "normal" food was a "loss to be mourned." And yet, through the process of relearning how to cook, care, and fight for myself, I discovered a whole new world of amazing food, inspiring role models, and thrilling challenges.

I've been living in Baltimore for about three years now. I am still an avid food lover, one with an expensive taste and a skinny wallet, so I'm passionate about finding and making good, cheap, gluten-free food as often as possible. I also enjoy playing pick-up Ultimate Frisbee, training for races (10Ks are my favorite), and reading good books.

The top of my list of favorites, however, is traveling. Getting on an airplane is one of my favorite things to do, whether it's headed somewhere domestic or international. I love the thrill of being in a new place, finding my way, and learning about a different culture. I first got sick while studying abroad in Chile; after I was diagnosed, I feared my traveling days were over. Since then, however, my job has taken me around the country and globe, and I've grown to love the challenge of finding "Lynnae-friendly" food wherever I am, whether it's curry in Cambodia, fresh mangoes in Haiti, or Gluten-Free/Dairy Free Nanaimo bars at One World Cafe here in Baltimore!

Here's to gluten-free!

Lynnae

Decisions Decisions

2009-02-17T09:39:00.001-05:00

Ok, Amazon.com, you've lured me in once again with your amazing prices... While I'm addicted to the savings you offer on books, I just discovered that I can get the same savings on gluten-free products. Where Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's offer mass quantities of gluten-filled foods, Amazon offers the same for gluten-free foods.

As I do the math, I could end up saving $2-$3 per product, just because I bought 12 at a time. Now, here's the problem: Where will I put 6 boxes of Glutino's Honey Nut Cereal? I'm only one person...in a small house...with very few closets. Let the debate begin: Do I transfer my home into gluten-free grocery storage or do I suck it up and pay the extra few bucks per product? Tough decision, right?

It's going to take some time to think about the pros and cons of this one. Anyone have advice?

Wanna Eat Out?

2009-02-14T09:02:00.000-05:00

Foodie Bytes (currently a Beta site) is a restaurant menu search engine. It is amazing and easy to use. Once at their site, you have a choice of logging in, or using the site as a guest.

Basically, you choose your city, and then your type of search. You can search by restaurant or by type of food. If you don't already have a place in mind, you can simply choose your city, then "food search", and type in "gluten free".

The results are sortable by neighborhood, price range, distance, and type of food (e.g. steakhouse, Mexican, etc.). You can combine, or stack, the sorts too, by adding or removing the different criteria selected. It's very simple to use. There are also customer comment areas for each food item and for each restaurant, so you can see what others thought

My favorite feature, though, is one you have to login for. You can create a login with Foodie Bytes or you can use your OpenID (if you have one). Once you log in, you get your own home page (with the option to upload a photo - if you'd like). On that home page, you can keep tabs on your item, restaurant reviews, and favorites. You can also maintain a wish list for both items and restaurants. This is my favorite part. What if you have a birthday or special occasion coming up, and people want to know where they can take you? Or what if you just want to be able to run out quickly without taking the time to go on a web search first? Just grab your wish list and go! So great.

I've now spent a few days wandering around this site, and I think it's fabulous. Each item description also lists portion sizes, type of cuisine, and the item's categories. In addition, there are links for the restaurant, the full menu, and a Google map.

Go and check them out! Their popularity is growing, and their restaurant base is excellent. It's the site I've been wishing for for months. The only drawback, for me, is that it only focuses on major cities at this point, and I don't live right in a major city. I'm hopeful, though, that they will continue to expand as their client base grows.

-Mikki

Larabar Love

2009-02-14T08:36:00.001-05:00

This is Part I, of a new series dedicated answering the question: What's in Your Pantry?

My constant companion these past four gluten-free years has been the Larabar. Not only are these fruit-and-nut energy bars always stashed in my pantry, they’re also in my coat pockets, glove compartment, purse and diaper bag. I even crammed a few of them in my labor bag for my two-day stay in the hospital when my daughter was born. They’re by far the tastiest and healthiest gluten-free snack, pick-me-up, or light meal I’ve found. Plus, they hold up really well whether it’s freezing or sweltering.

Larabars currently come in 14 flavors, but that number keeps growing. When I first discovered the Larabar in 2005, there were just four or five flavors, not that I was complaining, back then I was a new celiac slogging through food labels and Larabar was the only energy bar with ingredients I could actually pronounce. (No Larabar has more than 6 ingredients).

My favorite flavor changes (though for almost a year I was hooked on Cashew Cookie). Last fall I was really into Apple Pie and Ginger Snap, and most recently I was noshing on Peanut Butter Cookie, which unfortunately has been voluntarily recalled along with just about every other peanut butter product out there. While I wait for the store shelves to be re-stocked with Peanut Butter Cookie, I’m enjoying Coconut Cream Pie.

I buy Larabars by the box and pick them up at Whole Foods for $21.99 per box (16 per box), at Trader Joes who sells them for $1.29 per bar, or from Giant who carries a small selection and sells them for $1.25 per bar. For the best selection however, check out Whole Foods.

Larabar has two other lines of energy bars as well, Jocalat, which is the chocolate-y version of the Larabar, and their newest bar, a kid-friendly, crispy bar called the Jamfrakas. All of them are gluten-free. Yum.
-Christine

gf Meals by Your Dinner Secret

2009-02-10T19:01:00.000-05:00

We were sitting around discussing several Celiacs we know who don't follow the gluten-free diet strictly, and then continue to complain about their miserable symptoms. These are the ones who are too busy to take care of themselves, don't have the time to recognize that the gluten-free diet isn't like a weight-loss diet; rather, it is a lifestyle. That's where gf Meals comes to the rescue!

In a world where much of our grocery store's freezer section is filled with TV dinners, the gluten-free diet has been slow to catch-up; however, that's no longer the case. gf meals offers entrees, side dishes, baked goods that will be delivered directly to your door and ready to cook. In our busy world, this may be the ticket to remaining healthy.

Click here to visit gfMeals.com

Sweet Serendipity

2009-02-08T18:11:00.000-05:00

Bean Hollow Coffee and Confections

8059 Main Street

Ellicott City, MD 21043

410-465-0233

Last Sunday, I ducked into a place in historic Ellicott City I’d never been before, Bean Hollow Coffee and Confections. While I was ordering a cup of joe, I happened to see chocolate raspberry tarts and chocolate dipped cheesecake in the pastry case labeled, “gluten-free.” I was absolutely euphoric. I couldn’t believe I’d stumbled upon a place where not only could I get a gluten-free treat, but I also had to a choice to make: tart or cheesecake.

In the end I went with the tart, promising to go back for the cheesecake soon. The tart was truly decadent and the coffee equally satisfying.

The next day, I called Bean Hollow’s owner to thank her for having gluten-free goodies in the coffee shop. She told me she’s been carrying gluten-free desserts for over a year. She started offering them because she “tries to have something for everyone,” even for those with allergies and intolerances. All of her gluten-free desserts, which also include a chocolate mousse cake and pecan tart, come from the local Baltimore bakery, Sweet Sin.

The other great thing I noticed was that the gluten-free desserts had their own separate tray in the pastry case. Cross-contamination was covered. Pretty sweet.

*Sweet Sin Bakery

410-366-5777

2009 International Walk for Celiac Disease

2009-02-08T13:49:00.000-05:00

Start stretching because on Sunday, May, 3, 2009, Baltimore will host the International Walk/Run for Celiac Disease. This is a great event that has raised over $1,500,000 since the first walk eight years ago.

Click Here to Register as a Participant.

Click Here to Register as a Volunteer.

Click Here to Sponsor a Participant.

Still not sure if you're interested? Look at the incentives offered:

T-shirt to all entrants and volunteers
Water and time splits on 5K and 10K courses
Gluten-free refreshments and vendor fair after the race
Special children's activities also after the race
Silent Auction
Raffle for a variety of prizes (tickets on sale at the event).

*Thank you to "Anonymous" for the date correction! (The link to the official site has the date listed incorrectly.)

UNO Chicago Grill Now Carries Gluten Free Pizza Nationwide

2009-02-06T14:21:00.000-05:00

UNO Chicago Grill

201 East Pratt Street

Harborplace

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-625-5900

(Click Here to find the Location Closest to You)

The Gluten Free Information You're Longing For

I ate pizza. At a real restaurant. Honest to goodness thin crust pepperoni pizza. I am so happy. It has been 9 months since I've had restaurant pizza, and when I found out that Uno Chicago Grill was now carrying gluten free pizza in all their restaurants, I shuffled off to the nearest one, in Woodbridge, VA.

Uno's has a gluten free menu, but you won't see the pizza on it. The pizza (for now, anyway) is listed on the regular menu. You have your choice of Cheese or Pepperoni, and the pizza is 6-slice, 10", thin crust. It was delicious. The crust is flaky and crisp, but soft. It's not like a cracker crust would be.

I did ask the server about adding other ingredients to the pizza. Her response was that if I had celiac disease, I should not add any other ingredients because of the risk of cross-contamination from the shared ingredients. If you can be happy with a simple pepperoni or cheese pizza, however, this is the pie for you.

In addition to the pizza, their gluten-free menu offers steak, chicken, burgers, a variety of different sides, and both a house salad and a cobb salad. There is also a selection of smoothies and such from the bar.

Overall, my visit to Uno Chicago Grill was excellent, and I recommend it whole-heartedly.

-Mikki

Note from the Editor's Desk: We are looking into the gluten-free pizza offerings at our local UNO Chicago Grill on Pratt Street.

A Special Welcome to Christine:

2009-01-27T07:13:00.000-05:00

Christine's a new mom and is interested in keeping baby gluten-free with rice teething biscuits and gluten-free play-doh. Her favorite gluten free foods are Tinkyada pasta, homemade chocolate chip cookies, and fresh Jersey lima beans (and no, Christine, we weren't expecting that one!). She's a self-proclaimed "Gluten-free mama" who is interested in gluten-free parenting, running, and writing. She was diagnosed four years ago, but (as many realize) believes she had it for over a decade before being diagnosed.

When Christine moved to Baltimore, she found shortly after the move that all the classic Baltimore foods (Steamed Crabs and Crab Cakes topping the list), might cause problems for a Celiac.

And finally, we'd like to brag a little bit about Christine: She has earned her Masters in Public Health from Yale University where she completed her thesis on Celiac Disease and adverse birth outcomes. Fancy Shmancy, right? And, if you want to see her in print (on a real piece of paper), check out the February 2009 issue of Baltimore Magazine in the Local Flavor Section.

Christine, we're honored to have you join us at Gluten Free in Baltimore!

From the Desk of Christine

2009-01-27T07:10:00.000-05:00

Hello all!

I’ve been gluten-free since 2005 when I was diagnosed with celiac disease. My first thought when I heard I’d have to follow a gluten-free diet was, “what would I eat?” Gluten was a staple for me. Back then I maintained the gluten-rich diet of a broke graduate student. My pantry was stocked with Pop-tarts, Nutri-grain bars, Ramen noodles, and assorted cookies and crackers.

It was actually the week of final exams when my doctor confirmed for me that I had celiac disease. So in addition to cramming for statistics, research methods and environmental epidemiology exams, I was also trying to cram into my head the overwhelmingly long list of ingredients that were now off-limits: wheat, durum, semolina, farina, bulgur, barley, malt, modified food starch and more.

My first gluten-free meal was rice pasta with marinara sauce straight from a jar. It was basically a two-ingredient meal, but it had taken me over an hour to wander the aisles of the grocery store and come up with something suitable for dinner that I was sure was also gluten-free. Although I overcooked the pasta and turned it into mush, for the first time in years, my stomach didn’t hurt that night.

Since 2005, I finished grad school, traveled across the country and across the pond to London, had a baby, and moved three times, from Connecticut to North Carolina and last year to Baltimore, Maryland, all of it gluten-free.

I now make a mean pasta Bolognese and never overcook my noodles.

I’m excited to be a part of this blog and the community of gluten-free and gluten-friendly folks in the Baltimore area.

-Christine

A warm welcome to our newest associate contributor:

2009-01-24T07:37:00.000-05:00

Mikki Black joins us from the outskirts of Washington D.C. Having been recently diagnosed with Celiac Disease, Mikki began the overwhelming research that accompanies such a diagnosis so as to be able to continue living and cooking as she always has. Along with the research and lifestyle changes, Mikki has found herself becoming a mentor and consultant for several people online and in her church who are also celiacs or are gluten-free because of other issues, such as diabetes or autism. Mikki has been working to build her readership online in hopes of perhaps pursuing publication in the future.

Mikki's interests include: cooking & eating, reading, Christianity, Facebook, music, poetry, and blogging (Check out Mikki's home blog!)

And, of course, anyone contributing to our blog must have some favorite foods, and Mikki has a great list: pasta, slow-roasted anything, thick steaks with cabernet sauvignon, brownies, pie, Pacific salmon, cheese, chicken, potatoes... (We're hungry already!)

From the Desk of Mikki Black

2009-01-24T07:28:00.000-05:00

Greetings!

Almost a year ago now, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. Since then, I have fought through a vast mountain of information (some good and some bad) in order to learn more about Celiac Disease and how to live well with it.

I was excited to stumble across Gluten Free in Baltimore while planning a day trip over the 2008 holidays. It has become one of many that I read and research from regularly. Things are moving fast in the world of Celiac Disease research and nutritional labeling, and I like to stay current. Why limit your options? Why force yourself to freeze in time?

Celiac Disease, or any of the other issues which cause the need to restrict gluten intake, need not be a punishment! There are so many good foods and products! My passionate interest has led to an interesting side effect: I have become a bit of a touch point for people at work and at church who are also dealing with Celiac Disease in their lives.

At the same time, I started up a blog in order to flex my writing muscles and build contacts online with people who, like me, love food, but have had to learn to enjoy it in a whole new manner: sans gluten. Over at my home blog: Here's What Let's Do, I chronicle short stories and recipes and reflections on life with Celiac Disease, among other things. It's sort of a random catch-all type of blog, so I am looking forward to writing here, on a focused blog.

Celiac Disease has changed me. I've had to deal with major lifestyle changes, diet adjustments, periods of intense frustration, even depression. Having the support not only of sympathetic family members, but empathetic new friends who truly understand what I was experiencing made all the difference for me. Life is not perfect now, of course, but it is so much better than it was!

To your search for knowledge, to your pursuit of good food, to your health!

- Mikki

IKEA: Not just for furniture anymore

2009-01-14T08:25:00.000-05:00

Yes, Ikea is known worldwide as a home furnishings store. However, here's a little known fact: They have a few gluten-free products (those in the freezer case are some of our favorites!). Every Almondy tarta is gluten-free and delicious.

So, after searching out some "build-your-own" furniture, and accessories to store all your great gluten-free products, go search out some "thaw-your-own" desserts at their Swedish Market!

Where?

College Park, MD 20740

WANTED: Associate Contributors

2009-01-10T19:07:00.000-05:00

Do you have two toasters in your kitchen because one is for you to toast every single piece of gluten-free bread, while the other collects gluten in its tray? Have you designated a part of your counter as a "gluten-free zone"? Do you live with someone who is gluten-free? Do you enjoy eating out at restaurants and checking to see if they're accommodating to your gluten-free needs? Do you get excited when you find a new product that totally rocks the gluten-free world? Do you enjoy sharing your finds? This is your chance!

LOOKING FOR: ASSOCIATE CONTRIBUTORS

REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling, and mechanics.
Basic understanding of how to post on Blogger.
Extensive understanding of the concept of cross-contamination and its effects on those who are truly gluten-intolerant.
Wide variety of interests, from research on Celiac Disease, the use of a gluten-free diet as treatment for Autism, reviews of gluten-free products, finding gluten-free products, accommodating restaurants & reviews, etc.

Compensation:

This is a volunteer position only. If you are in need of community service hours, please contact glutenfreebaltimore@gmail.com, and we will look into assisting you!

TO APPLY:

Please send a sample of your writing, preferably of a potential posting to "Gluten Free in Baltimore", to glutenfreebaltimore@gmail.com. Please make sure that the email address you are using is the email address you would like for us to use as contact information. You may remain as anonymous as you'd like; however, please also include some sort of profile -- nothing in depth -- that would accompany your posting, including:

A Display Name
Interests
A Brief Introduction
Favorite Foods

We will review your application and contact you, if you have been selected to be an associate contributor. Thank you for your interest!

The Beginning

2009-01-01T08:15:00.000-05:00

Gluten Free in Baltimore started because I'm a big traveler, and when I was first diagnosed, thought that traveling would have to end. It didn't, but it did continue for a few years with me carrying a cardboard box of food wherever I went. This wasn't a really big deal until after September 11, 2001, when explaining the food box just became too much of a hassle. When I decided that packing food and clothing together just wasn't fun anymore, I took to the internet to do research before traveling to find places that would accommodate my needs. I was so appreciative when I came upon various blogs dedicated to providing people like me with information about how to remain comfortable when not able to access my pantry... And that's where it all began.

After the diagnosis of Celiac disease became more and more common, I began running into more and more people who wanted my advice. As a busy student at the time, and now a busy high school teacher, I just became overwhelmed with providing long emails, etc. to so many people. Plus, I remember standing in a natural foods store, staring at all these extremely expensive foods and thinking, "I wish someone could tell me what to buy so I wouldn't feel awful buying a $7 loaf of bread that is going to end up in my trashcan along with used kleenex from the tears that accompanied eating a loaf of drywall-like bread." One day while on a run to the store, I saw two people staring at a freezer case with a stack of paper. They were talking about what they should buy. I could just sense that one of them had just been diagnosed, so I interjected and basically took them on a shopping trip. It turned out that while neither of them had been diagnosed, their 4-year old grandson was coming to visit, and he had just been diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and they didn't have a clue what they were going to feed him! I realized then and there I had some important work to do. I couldn't just live in various grocery stores waiting for people to look lost and confused and go shopping with them; I had a life to live. So, I started Gluten Free in Baltimore and began promoting. A few months ago, I decided to expand my team and move from a one person blogger to a team-driven resource. It turns out it is a much needed resource, and so here we are today.

Please do contact me at glutenfreebaltimore@gmail.com if you have any question, comments, or concerns.

All My Best,

Kate

Editor-in-Chief

Gluten Free Italian Food

2008-11-15T07:31:00.002-05:00

If you haven't had a large gluten-free cheese pizza in a while, you'll want to try Conte's Pasta Gluten Free Cheese Pizza. It has a thin crispy crust, delicious tomato sauce, and just the right amount of cheese. It's not personal sized, like Glutino's version, so there's room to add your own toppings. It's done in 10 minutes.

In fact, it's so delicious, I'm going to purchase some of their other gluten-free products: Ravioli, Lasagna, Gnocchi, Pierogies, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Manicotti, and Stuffed Shells.

I was able to find the pizza at The Natural in Timonium, MD; however, the other products I'm going to have to purchase online. I'll be sure to let The Natural know which one's they should stock up on! I'm just so excited.

I'm thinking about having a full Italian Meal: Against The Grain Baguette made into Garlic Bread, a delicious Salad, and Ravioli!

Some days when I get home from work, I just want to shove something in the microwave and be done with it. (Ok, so I'm one person, so I always want to do that...) Gluten Free Cafe frozen entrees are delicious. I'm particularly fond of the Fettucini Alfredo. I've also found these at The Natural.

The latest and greatest gluten-free home baked cookies

2008-11-09T19:07:00.000-05:00

If you're looking for delicious, warm from the oven, gluten-free cookies go to the freezer case and find Glutenfreeda's Real Cookies. From chewy snickerdoodles and sugar cookies to chocolatey-peanut butter cookies, they have an entire range that are easy to bake quickly. I highly recommend searching these out. If you're in the baltimore area, check out: The Natural in Timonium or Roots Market in Olney.

If you want to order online check out their website.

A Gluten-Free Halloween?

2008-10-27T18:31:00.001-04:00

Halloween Candy List

Make sure you're not accidentally ingesting gluten along with all your treats!

Gluten-free Baguettes? The scoop on gluten-free breads...

2008-10-23T17:14:00.000-04:00

Against the Grain Gourmet did it. They made an outstanding gluten-free baguette. I'm not sure it's exactly like a gluten filled baguette, but if you toast that sucker up, it certainly seems to come close. It's lightweight and chewy on the inside, and crispy on the outside.

For sandwich bread there are a few great options: Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Bakehouse, Glutino (available at Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, The Natural Market), Kinnikinnick (The Natural).

Enjoy! (But remember to toast it!)

For those who just want a beer...

2008-10-17T16:40:00.000-04:00

Now, I've only been able to find 3 gluten-free beers in the Baltimore Metro area: Redbridge (so-so), New Grist (quite good), and Bard's Tale (horrendous). I have recently, though, been told there are many others. I just received this information via email:

The most recommended gluten-free beer I could find is "Shakparo" by Sprecher. Sprecher is widely available in Pennsylvania and I'm 99% sure is distributed in Maryland as well. Their other gluten free offering "Mbege" is not so well received. Another lineup that seems to have potential is the Green's lineup imported by Merchant du Vin. I haven't seen these around here, but I now they're available and interestingly enough I DID just seem them in Delaware yesterday... Some of these score better than others, but they are brewed in conjunction with some VERY reputable brewers. Probably worth a try. There are a few others I came across that would probably be even better, but they're brewed in VERY small quantities and often were never available east of Colorado...

Happy drinking!

A Great Website To Use

2008-10-17T16:30:00.000-04:00

Ok, while I'd rather have you hang out here, there's another great website that I cannot keep to myself! The Gluten Solution, http://theglutensolution.com is in a test stage right now, and personally, I think it's going to be a great resource. I have nothing to do with it, but the more people they have testing it out, the better it can become. Since it's in a test stage right now, everything is free (and there are still quite a few pieces to the site that aren't fully up and running...). The more resources we have, the better. And, in addition to the resources, the sheer number increases the visibility of celiac disease in the world.

October is Celiac Awareness Month, and while it's not necessary to have Celiac Disease and need to be on a gluten-free diet, we now have our own month!

The Natural Market

2008-09-28T18:10:00.000-04:00

The Natural Market

2149 York Rd

Timonium, MD 21093

410-560-3133

Hours:

Monday - Friday: 9:30am - 8pm

Saturday: 10am-6pm

Sunday: 11am - 7pm

I am becoming a bigger and bigger fan of The Natural in Timonium, MD. Their selection of gluten-free products just keeps expanding, and they keep continuing to find new and improved products. They have some outstanding frozen foods, especially Glutino's frozen personal sized pizzas as well as some gluten-free TV dinners that are quite good. (TV dinners--as far as I recall--were never top-notch gourmet food anyway...)

The shopping center is currently under construction, but it's worth the trip!

Baltimore's Sotto Sopra is a Gluten Free Friendly Restaurant Worth Checking Out

2008-08-24T07:08:00.001-04:00

Sotto Sopra
405 N. Charles Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-625-0534

Not knowing anything about this restaurant, except for its location and that it claims to be Italian, I was delighted to discover that it is a fantastic restaurant that knows how to accommodate gluten-free diners. The dinner menu is comprehensive, and from what I ate, offers delicious food. There was absolutely no question when I said that my food needed to be "gluten-free"; in fact, when our waiter brought a basket of bread to the table, he quickly moved it away from my side of the table. If you're looking for a great italian restaurant, you really must check out Sotto Sopra. It's definitely worth your while. And if you're as much a creme brulee fanatic as I am, you will not be disappointed!

From the Baltimore Sun: Study Reveals Piece in the Celiac Puzzle

2008-08-03T23:48:00.000-04:00

Study Reveals Piece In The Celiac Puzzle

"Maryland researchers have identified a key receptor in the intestine that can trigger celiac disease, and they hope their findings can be applied to other autoimmune disorders, such as Type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis."

Take a look at the article. This is good news not only for the celiac community, but for the whole autoimmune disorders/disease community in general. It is likely that once a "cure" for Celiac Disease is discovered, many other autoimmune disorders may also be cured as well.

Now, don't start salivating over that croissant quite yet, this is still in the works, but this is GOOD news!

A Video Presentation on Celiac Disease

2008-08-02T19:21:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don't know the ins-and-outs of Celiac Disesase, the following presentation is fairly easy to follow. I will be including more of these in the coming weeks to be used as a tool to explain to others as well as to understand it more fully yourself.

Pazo & The Entire Cindy Wolf Dynasty

2008-08-02T14:24:00.001-04:00

Pazo

1425 Aliceanna Street

Baltimore, MD 21231

410-534-7296

Another one of Cindy Wolf & Tony Foreman's Successful Endeavors...

They may not have a dedicated gluten-free menu, but they sure do have accommodating servers. Every time (which is more than I can remember at this point -- and not due to their overwhelmingly spectacular selection of wine...) I am there, I have a great time, delicious food, and a different experience. The restaurant is so versatile that while one evening can be spent traditionally with an appetizer or two, a salad, an entree, and a dessert; another evening may consist purely of a wide selection of small plates to be shared by everyone at the table. I've also enjoyed several nights where a little of both took place, but those nights are always the ones where I regret having eaten quite so much! Not only is the menu a delight, each seat in the restaurant allows for a different experience: from dining upstairs on the mezzanine level and looking down below to the lounge and other seated dining area, to sitting on one of the greatest couches ever made in the lounge and munching on perhaps one or more of the tapas. The bar, too offers yet another experience all within the same great space; however, I'm not really a bar person, so I won't really be commenting on that.

In terms of suggestions for food, I will try; however, the menu is regularly changing to reflect current seasonal influences. But, as all good gluten-free diners know...better to ask than wind up sick! So, here's a personal list of favorites (that either already are gluten-free or can easily be prepared gluten-free):

Manchego & Manzana
Local Heirloom Tomato Caprese
Jamon Pincho
Shrimp with Garlic
Papas Fritas "Nuevas"
Sauteed Broccoli
Braised Lamb Shoulder (no lamb jus though!)
Grilled Hanger Steak
Wood Grilled Organic Chicken
If they have the Bronzini -- you really must try it

Oh, and if you were concerned about it only being for the hip, trendy set...don't fret... Pazo is about comfort. I've seen clients from young twenty-somethings ready to party-it-up at the bar to business-dressed men and women sitting in the lounge, to first dates, to older married couples out to dinner. I've worn jeans and I've worn something a bit more fancy, so it's up to you! Make it what you want. Just be sure it's gluten-free!

The Good News

2008-07-28T23:05:00.000-04:00

The more I eat out at restaurants, the less I feel that I must explain every minute detail of why there can be no gluten in my dish. At the beginning, for me, dining out was so painful of an experience, I would end up bringing my own food to be heated and served with the rest of everyone's meals. This could be considered the time Before Gluten Awareness (or BGA). My story was that if I ate any gluten, an ambulance would have to carry me off, and that's just not good business for a restaurant. It seemed to get the point across that this was not just some fad "diet" thing, but much more serious. Even though, I probably wouldn't have had to be carried off in an ambulance, I would have had 3 months of painful recovery from something that I was trying so hard to keep in check.

Canada, Italy, and Ireland has this diet under control. Traveling to any of those places and just requesting for my meal to be gluten-free was easy as pie (the gluten-filled kind that don't take as long to bake...). I just kept wishing that the States could get it together. I mean, Baltimore is the World Headquarters for Celiac Research. One would think that Baltimore would at least be on top of their game. But, alas, no, Baltimore has been one of the last remaining large cities to jump on the Gluten-Free Bandwagon.

I am currently on vacation in Chicago, IL and Milwaukee, WI where gluten issues are not a problem. The word gluten is uttered, and there are no worries about what you will receive in front of you.

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I would like to announce that I believe that we have entered a new era in Gluten Awareness. This is Good News. I believe it is thanks to people like you and me who stumble into restaurants and request meals that are gluten-free. We're now seeing almost an onslaught of Gluten-Free Menus, Servers who are knowledgeable about gluten, and restaurants dedicated to catering primarily to the gluten-free market. So, I thank you for that. We have created enough demand, and now we are beginning to reap the benefits.

Keep up the dining out and requesting your meal to be gluten free / educating the server, chef, etc. on the importance of this offering to their financial success!

Take Care!

Philly Swirl

2008-07-24T20:48:00.000-04:00

Check out Philly Swirl Products...not only do you get a delicious gluten-free ice cream treat, you get the benefit of a helping a company to help fund Celiac Disease research!

Beware: Not ALL of their products are gluten free...but a lot are!

Gluten-Free Macaroni & Cheese

2008-07-13T18:06:00.001-04:00

It has been quite a long time since I've had macaroni and cheese that I thoroughly enjoyed. I've tried Amy's frozen rice macaroni and cheese, which is good, but not outstanding. I've tried Glutino's frozen macaroni and cheese, which is less good, but ok. I was eating rice and cheese earlier today and thinking back to my days of Kraft macaroni and cheese. Oh, how I loved that powdered cheese when it mixed in with the milk and butter. Well, I want it back. And since I'm having a lazy Sunday, I figured I'd try to find some way to get it. So, guess what I found? The cheese in the cheese packets inside the box of Kraft Mac & Cheese boxes are gluten-free! Hooray. That just means that I will now sub out the gluteny Kraft macaroni for gluten-free pasta and voila! Gluten-Free Mac & Kraft Cheese.

Lilit Cafe has a Catering Menu -- Exciting!

2008-07-11T20:20:00.000-04:00

Lilit Cafe

7921 Old Georgetown Road

Bethesda, MD 20814

301-654-5454

The wonderful Lilit Cafe in Bethesda (where I had a gluten-free tomato, turkey, fresh mozzarella sandwich, and picked up several gluten-free products, such as foccacia, snickerdoodle cookies, and sandwich bread) offers a catering menu, which you can view right here: Printable Catering Menu

The Most Delicious Gluten-Free, Vegan Carrot Cake Ever Made

2008-07-07T19:38:00.000-04:00

Great Sage

5809 Clarksville Square Drive

Clarksville, MD 21029

443-535-9400

As promised, I'm reporting back to you. Great Sage has gone above and beyond my expectations. When we picked up the cake, I was impressed with how delicious it looked, and a bit worried by just how heavy this cake was. As we drove to the party, it felt as though a small infant was sitting on my lap. That's probably an exaggeration, but it gives you the idea. Well, after several jokes had been made about its weight, we cut the cake. The cut cake revealed, three layers of moist carrot cake, with thin layers of icing in between each layer. This cake was so moist and delicious, everyone loved it, including the skeptics and those disgusted by previous encounters with gluten-free food and/or vegan food. I would drive the 40 minutes any day to get a few more bites of this carrot cake. I, of course, would have to feast on all of the other amazing food they serve.

Vegan & Gluten-Free?

2008-07-05T12:07:00.000-04:00

My cousin is vegan, and I am gluten-free. For his birthday my family thought it would be a great idea to get him a vegan cake. After calling what seemed like thousands of places, I finally contacted Great Sage in Clarksville, MD. Well, they apparently have a gluten-free, vegan carrot cake. I am quite excited to try it tomorrow and let you know the results.

What if I'm Not From Baltimore? Where are these neighborhoods?

2008-06-29T15:31:00.000-04:00

Click on the map to the left to get an enlarged picture.

If You Would Rather Purchase Products Than Eat At A Restaurant...

2008-06-22T08:45:00.000-04:00

I realized recently, as I was going to make myself dinner, that I haven't posted about stores that stock gluten-free products. I've been so focused on the difficulties of eating out when gluten-free, that I just completely glossed over the fact that there are many places in and around Baltimore where one can purchase gluten-free products and ingredients. If the stores have provided lists of gluten-free products, you can find them as links below. I will also list a few of my favorites as well. So, with that in mind, here we go:

Whole Foods Market [Harbor East]

1001 Fleet Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-528-1420

Gluten-Free Products List

Whether you are a visitor to Baltimore staying in one of the hotels in Harbor East, or a long-time Baltimorean, Whole Foods Market is the place to go for gluten-free products. While this store has gluten-free products scattered throughout, my favorite place is in the freezer section right in the middle of the store. If you are walking toward the back of the store, the right side of the freezer section contains a section of gluten-free products from their Gluten-Free Bakehouse. Their sandwich bread is especially good! If you continue back, Van's Waffles are also in the freezer section. Be sure you check to make sure you've grabbed the gluten-free version (some aren't!). On the left side of the freezer section, there is a wide variety of Amy's frozen products. Once again, you'll have to make sure that you are buying a gluten-free product, because some of them aren't! As you'll see from the products' list, there are hundreds of gluten-free items located throughout the store.

Whole Foods Market [Mount Washington]

1330 Smith Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21209

410-532-6700

Gluten-Free Products List

While the parking can be a little hectic at times, this Whole Foods Market also has an outstanding selection of gluten-free products. Head to the back of the store and on your left you'll find the freezer section. You'll have to try the Whole Foods Bakehouse Gluten-Free Pie Crusts; they are fantastic for quiche! This store also stocks some of Sweet Sin Bakery's Individual Desserts right in the same freezer case. They are quite pricey, but if you're looking to indulge, I'd definitely recommend the Pecan Tart, but there are probably four or five others to choose from as well.

Whole Foods Market [Annapolis]

2504 Solomon's Island Road

Annapolis, MD 21401

410-573-1800

Gluten-Free Products List

Whole Foods Market [Gaithersburg]

316 Kentlands Boulevard

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

301-258-9500

Gluten-Free Products List

Trader Joe's [Towson]

1 East Joppa Road

Towson, MD 21286

410-296-9851

Gluten-Free Products List

Whether you happen to be in Towson visiting one of the colleges, visiting family, or you just live in or around Towson, Trader Joe's is an excellent place to stock up on gluten-free products. Once again, the parking situation is not optimal, but you'll realize it was worth it when you get home and try a bite of their Sweet Without Wheat Tiramisu. While I wasn't ever a big fan of Trader Joe's--I'm not really sure how I came to that conclusion--I certainly have changed my mind. They have some fantastic gluten-free products: from fully-prepared entrees and desserts, to gluten-free ingredients. You'll have to pick up one of their Sweet without Wheat frozen desserts. It's in the first aisle on the left in the freezer. I do not recommend any of their homemade gluten-free breads, but that doesn't mean the rest of the gluten-free products aren't any good...I also highly suggest their gluten-free Granola that sits alongside the rest of their cereals and granolas. In fact, I'm eating some right now as I type this. My personal favorite is the tropical forest variety, but that's just me.

Trader Joe's [Pikesville]

1809 Reisterstown Road

Pikesville, MD 21208

410-484-8373

Gluten-Free Products List

Trader Joe's [Columbia]

6610 Marie Curie Drive

Elkridge, MD 21075

410-953-8139

Gluten-Free Products List

Trader Joe's [Annapolis]

160 F Jennifer Road

Annapolis, MD 21401

410-573-0505

Gluten-Free Products List

Trader Joe's [Gaithersburg]

18270 Contour Road

Gaithersburg, MD 20877

301-947-5953

Gluten-Free Products List

The Natural [Timonium]

2149 York Road

Timonium, MD 21093

410-560-3133

Gluten-Free Products

You might be in Timonium because you live there, or because you're visiting the Maryland State Fairgrounds, or because you're visiting family. No matter why you're there, The Natural is a great resource for gluten-free products. The Natural is hidden at the very end of a Shopping Center in Timonium, across from the Maryland State Fairgrounds. When you enter the store, head right down the aisle straight ahead of you, and you will find a huge variety of gluten-free products on your right. The Natural stocks lots of Ener-G products, so if you're a fan, you'll be in heaven. If you're like me, they have plenty of other products to keep you happy and coming back. From Glutano cookies and crackers, to Pamela's cookies and Glutino breakfast bars, Tinkyada Lasagna noodles and other gluten-free pastas. Now, I am personally disgusted by Ener-G products, but that's my opinion. But, don't stop there, keep walking to the freezers in the back of the store and you'll find Glutino frozen pizzas: cheese or spinach and feta. I highly suggest picking up one of these. They make a great lunch or dinner. I find them filling, despite their rather small size. On the right wall freezer section, you'll find even more frozen foods: Kinnikinnick products, such as sandwich bread and their delicious cinnamon rolls. I recommend Glutano's Bagels. You'll have to wander around the store to find the other hidden gluten-free goodies, but it's worth it.

Wegmans [Hunt Valley]

122 Shawan Road

Hunt Valley, MD 21030

Gluten-Free Products List

If you've never been to a Wegmans, you have not experienced everything there is to experience. Wegmans is HUGE. If you have social anxiety, I recommend not going on a Weekend. I'm not making this up: there was a Bus Tour one weekend that stopped at Wegmans. Anyway, you'll have to do a bit of hunting for the gluten-free products, but many of them are located right in the middle of the store, where organic foods and health supplies are. While Wegmans is huge, I've always been slightly disappointed by the lack of variety of products. But, you'll find lots of glutano products (from cookies to crackers to pastas) in their gluten-free aisle. Grab a bag of Glutino pretzels. You won't be disappointed, unless you were looking for them to taste exactly like gluten-filled pretzels... Anyway in the freezer case right near the gluten-free aisle, you'll find Glutino sandwich bread and bagels, as well as Foods By George gluten-free cornbread (which is outstanding, especially as part of a cornbread stuffing!) Refer to the product list link above for a full listing of gluten-free products. Many of Wegmans' brand products will say whether they are gluten-free.

New Grist Beer

2008-06-16T11:31:00.000-04:00

I know I won't stop talking about Woodberry Kitchen, but I just continue having new and wonderful experiences. The staff is exceptional; the space is uniquely intimate and open; and, the food is delicious. And, my most recent trip led me to the gluten-free beer they offer: New Grist. I was with three others (who can eat all the gluten they want), so I had each of them try a sip. They all were very impressed. Now, remember, I'm the one who developed a taste for Redbridge, but New Grist is amazingly better. It has almost a hard apple-cider after taste. If you get a chance, take a sip, and let me know how it tastes to you.

Lilit Cafe

2008-06-14T10:30:00.001-04:00

7921 Old Georgetown Road

Bethesda, MD 20814

301-654-5454

http://www.lilitcafe.com

So I had my second ever gluten-free sandwich at a restaurant. The first was at a restaurant in Canada. I've eaten lots of "gluten-free sandwiches" where the way the sandwich becomes gluten- free is that I ask for it without the bread; however, this time was different. The contents of this sandwich were graciously surrounded by two pieces of gluten-free bread. Lilit Cafe is a bit of a drive from Baltimore, but completely worth it. Not only will you enjoy a delicious gluten-free meal, you can stock up on the amazingly delicious products from Sweet Sin Bakery. The Cafe has them in their refrigerated section.

The sandwich I had was the Turkey Caprese -- and yes, they knew to toast the bread. It was the perfect lunch sandwich. The Cafe is a big combination of gelato shop, liquor store, gluten-free shop, and cafe. It's the perfect place to go to grab lunch, or to sit and eat a cup of gelato on a hot summer's day.

The Baltimore Sun: "Body Wars"

2008-06-09T10:43:00.001-04:00

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder. In the June 5th "Heath Today" section of The Baltimore Sun, there is an article titled "Body Wars". There is a little rectangle that highlights the key aspects of Autoimmune disorders:

In these ailments, the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues.
Key autoimmune disease include[, but are not limited to] rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, Type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and celiac disease.
Twenty-four million Americans have an autoimmune disease, more than double the number with cancer.
Diseases strike women more often; four of five patients in this country are women.

Know the facts! The most interesting thing about autoimmune disorders is that once they are able to fully grasp one of them, and create a cure, the rest will follow suit. So keep your fingers crossed! Or if you'd like to be more proactive, get out there and make some noise about the state of medicine and its lack of attention to curing autoimmune disorders.

A Wake-Up Call for a Veteran Celiac...

2008-06-08T22:13:00.001-04:00

The Story:

So, I went out to dinner tonight with my Uncle. We returned to Woodberry Kitchen in Baltimore. The food, once again, was outstanding. I even considered trying the gluten-free beer they offer: New Grist, but I didn't because I wasn't really in the mood for a beer. Anyway, that's not really what I'm going to talk about. What I want to talk about is the Gluten-Free Bread, and my wake-up call. As we were sitting there--my Uncle was enjoying his thick slices of some medium brown untoasted bread, and I was enjoying my thin slices of toasted gluten-free bread--I offered a slice of gluten-free bread to my Uncle. Now, I was thoroughly convinced that this bread was some of the best tasting gluten-free bread ever baked. I could still be correct; however, apparently in comparison to "regular" bread, it doesn't even fall into a bread-like category. The look on my Uncle's face was proof enough that I hadn't accidentally been served a plate of very thinly sliced "regular" bread. It was at that moment that I realized just how far I've come. I'm a veteran. My ability to fully review gluten-free products can only be made in comparison to other gluten-free products. I am so far removed from the world of gluten-filled foods that I can no longer compare "gluten-free" products with "gluten-filled" products.

I have not fully come to terms with this new realization. What I have taken away from this experience, and would like to share with all newbies: You will reach the point where the bread tastes normal and good. I promise. If you're questioning me, contact me after 5 years of consuming only gluten-free products. At that point, if you still are having trouble with the bread, I probably won't have any advice for you, but I will find it fascinating that you've been able to maintain your sense of taste for that long.

Maybe You've Heard About it; Maybe You Haven't...

2008-06-04T07:58:00.000-04:00

Making Tracks for Celiacs

While this year's Baltimore Celiac Walk/Run has already taken place, you better start stretching for next year's! The total donations they have accepted so far have been listed on the website at $57,438.

So get ready, get set, go!

What's The Status of Gluten in Baltimore?

2008-06-04T07:48:00.000-04:00

"Food for Thought"

Baltimore Business Journal

Before I begin, I would like to say, that I fully support this good news in the Baltimore Business Journal; however, I want to remind everyone with Celiac Disease, that you do not have a food allergy to gluten. You have an autoimmune disorder. Your body attacks itself when gluten enters it. Gluten to a person with Celiac Disease is like a poison, and your body is trying to eliminate the poison. In the process, it ends up attacking itself (which is where all the nasty symptoms come from)

Now, I have used the old explanation technique at restaurants: "I have an allergy to gluten, and since it's not good business to have an ambulance in front of a restaurant, please do check with the chef to verify that the food will be gluten free..." To most people the words "food allergy" make sense and demonstrate that I mean business. No restaurant wants to have their food kill someone. Now, I won't die immediately upon ingesting gluten (they don't need to know that); but my risk for dying from colon cancer and other horrible things increases exponentially if I do eat gluten. Also, I just don't like to feel nauseated, have diarrhea, severe pain in my abdomen, etc... It's not worth the gluten.

"Avoiding Gluten Is Not A Fad"

2008-06-04T07:29:00.000-04:00

"For Most People, Gluten Isn't a Diet Enemy"

NPR.com Listen Here

I came across this posting on NPR.com, and probably got way too excited about it. When I was first diagnosed -- years and years and years ago -- It felt as though I was the only one, or maybe (if I was lucky) one of four who had to cut gluten out of my life completely. Now, I find news articles talking about Gluten, morning TV shows with segments about gluten, Servers at restaurants who don't have an aneurism when I explain that "I want the hamburger without the bread, and are your french fries cooked in the same deep fryer as anything with flour?"

We're coming a long way, but we still have a while to go.

A Partially Gluten-Free Party: Catered by Classic Catering

2008-06-04T07:09:00.000-04:00

Classic Catering People

99 Painters Mill Road

Owings Mills, MD 21117

410-356-1666

www.classiccatering.com

So, I recently graduated from College (6 years!), and had a graduation party. Now, I usually do a lot of the cooking for large parties; however, this time, I decided to have it catered. So, I settled on the wonderful people at Classic Catering. I selected the various items I wanted for the party, then asked about providing some items as gluten free. Classic Catering had no problem with that. Without any whining or complaining about this special request, they identified which items could be made gluten free, and which could not. This was fantastic! When the food arrived, I quickly removed portions of the gluten-free items to eat later (because I wasn't about to trust all of my guests to keep everything gluten-free! I kept imagining someone crumbling a piece of bread over the Spring Chicken Salad with Asparagus...) Plus, I've always found that if someone doesn't start removing food from a platter, people don't eat. So the huge hunks of food missing actually acted as a way to encourage people to dig in!

The food was delicious. People had a great time. And I have my diploma.

Another Service Worth Checking Into...

2008-05-29T19:38:00.000-04:00

Dinewise.com offers fully prepared gluten-free meals. They also offer fully-prepared not gluten-free meals (so be careful!). Now, I have not personally tried this, so if anyone has, please let me know how the food is.

A "Triumph" of a Resource

2008-05-29T15:36:00.002-04:00

You'll have to accept my apologies for what may appear to be an advertisement; however, I am receiving no compensation for this whatsoever. It's just like how I talk about my TiVo, and probably have sold a few people on them; but, TiVo -- the company -- is not compensating me or providing me with commission of any type... (but I'm not complaining). Anyway, back to what YOU are probably interested in...

I've just come across an amazing resource for Gluten-Free Girls, Boys, Men, & Women. You really must check out www.triumphdining.com. It is a resource that provides grocery guides, restaurant guides, dining cards, and more! Let me know what you think because I think it's great, but I'm just one person.

Roy's Restaurant is Gluten-Free Heaven

2008-05-27T08:41:00.002-04:00

720 Aliceanna Street #B

Baltimore, MD 21202

410-659-0099

www.roysrestaurant.com

Roy's Restaurant, which is located in Harbor East (but is also a chain, so exists elsewhere in the United States...), is gluten-free heaven. I finally graduated from college (only 6 years!), and it happened to take place two days before my birthday, so my family and I had a dinner out at Roy's. I chose it specifically because of their phenomenal gluten-free menu - and delicious food. Their food has Hawaiian and Asian influences, but even my Aunt (who only eats very specific foods because she's a really picky eater) was able to find something to eat and fully enjoy. They're known for their seafood, but their meats are also outstanding. Try the lamb: You won't be disappointed! Their Beef Short Ribs are also outstanding. And, the Shrimp was seasoned to perfection. To end it all, their chocolate souffle is gluten-free and delicious, so make sure you leave room! One of the best parts about the whole experience was that as I was sitting there looking at the menu, my menu - from the outside - looked no different from any of the others. Unlike most Gluten-Free menus, it wasn't like: Look at me! Look at me! I have special needs! And I like that feeling of blending in with everyone, but still knowing that my meal would be prepared gluten-free.

Gluten Free Beer

2008-05-20T15:39:00.000-04:00

For those of you who thought that beer was out of the question: Well you are wrong. Anheuser-Busch, Inc. manufactures a gluten-free beer: Redbridge. It's made from Sorghum, which does not contain gluten, so it's safe for all of those who are gluten-intolerant.

(I've asked those who can eat gluten to try Redbridge Beer, and I've been told that it's ok -- some even prefer it...)

Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Bakehouse

2008-05-20T09:25:00.000-04:00

The Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Bakehouse

Baltimore has two Whole Foods Markets: One in Mount Washington and one in Harbor East. There are also locations in Annapolis, Silver Spring, Gaithersburg, Bethesda, and Rockville. I will be writing about the Mount Washington and Harbor East locations, because those are the only two that I have visited in the area.

Anyway, Baltimore's Whole Foods Markets offer selections from their Gluten Free Bakehouse in the freezer sections: from the Sandwich Bread to Blueberry Muffins to Almond Scones, Banana Bread, and Carrot Cake to Chocolate Chip Cookies, Peanut Butter Cookies and Walnut Brownies to personal sized pies, such as apple and pecan. You can view the full list of Product Offerings here.

I must say, their gluten free sandwich bread is quite delicious (yes, it still must be toasted, but really it only needs to be warmed up), I like their almond scones too. I find their pizza crust to be delicious not as the crust for pizza, but as the base for focaccia, or cut up for sandwiches. Their pie crust is outstanding as the crust for quiches.

So, yes, these are expensive products, but if you put them in your freezer, they last for quite some time and they are delicious. So if you happen to be craving delicious bread, a good muffin, or banana bread, stop by Whole Foods Market and pick up a few frozen gluten free goods. I promise: You won't regret it.

Ensure: Good for your Health & your Stomach!

2008-05-16T23:20:00.000-04:00

In addition to having Celiac Disease, I also have Crohn's Disease (but that's another story). I began drinking Ensure because of the Crohn's, but have found it to be very useful for the Celiac Disease as well. I've always had trouble taking vitamins, even though they're very important to my well-being, because they make my stomach extremely upset. So, for awhile, I gave up on vitamins...but that came back to haunt me, when my vitamin levels went out of whack. I tried Ensure as a last resort -- and sure enough, it's working!

For those of you who don't know, Ensure is a nutritional supplement drink. It provides lots of good vitamins and other things that our hurting intestinal systems have difficulty absorbing. Anyway, a from my finely tuned taste buds: I highly suggest NOT drinking the vanilla flavor. The chocolate flavor, strawberries and cream, and butter pecan are all delicious, but the vanilla is atrocious. And, I usually am a fan of all things vanilla!