Gluten Free Durham

Triangle Raw Foodists

2011-11-27T18:50:00.001-05:00

I was recently contacted by Jane Howard Crutchfield and Matthew Daniels who are the owners of Triangle Raw Foodists. Finally an option in the food truck world that works for someone on a gluten free diet! They wanted to inform readers of gluten free Durham of this raw food option where all ingredients are gluten free. The following is their description:

Triangle Raw Foodists make raw food meals, that are also totally gluten-free, dairy-free, and meat-free. We have a delivery service, where we deliver 3-4 days worth of prepared foods to people's homes each Monday. We also have a food truck that can be found every Wednesday from 12-3pm at Ad Spice on Broad St in Durham. We also have it at other random locations for events (you can see the current schedule on our website.

For further details, menu items and contact information, you can access the website here.
Any gluten free, raw foods readers out there who have sampled some of the menu items? Please leave a review of your experience.

Writing Contest for FREE GLUTEN FREE PRUDUCTS

2011-10-28T08:14:00.000-04:00

I was recently contacted by the folks at French Meadow Bakery concerning an essay contest they are sponsoring via their facebook page. To celebrate the bountiful fall harvest, and the delicious dishes created from it, French Meadow Bakery is offering one lucky winner the chance to receive a one-year supply of organic, Gluten-Free goodies including breads, tortillas, cookie dough and brownies.

French Meadow Bakery is internationally recognized as a leading provider of naturally delicious and nutritious bakery products that suit a variety of dietary needs. Whether a person has specific dietary restrictions or is trying to develop healthy eating habits, individuals can take comfort in the assortment of Gluten-Free products. The Gluten-Free product line-up fits into a wide variety of recipes and dishes, and, in a culture where food is a cornerstone, French Meadow Bakery provides hearty and delicious favorites.

To enter the contest, simply visit French Meadow Bakery’s Facebook page and share your Gluten-Free story. In 250 words or less, we would love to hear your experience with living Gluten-Free and how French Meadow Bakery makes life more delicious.

The contest will run until midnight on Monday, November 14. The top 10 story submissions will be selected by a panel of French Meadow Bakery experts and then the public will be invited to select the winner between November 18 through November 24.

More Gluten Free Options at the Rice Diet Store

2011-10-13T21:00:00.000-04:00

I first wrote about the gluten free products available at the Rice Diet Store in March of 2010. I was recently contacted by one of their dietitians, Anna, who asked me to update readers to new products and information regarding the Rice Diet Store. The store has a new manager: Jeanette Gulledge. Updated store hours are M-W-F 9:00-2:00.

Anna listed some of the gluten free-favorites:

Brown rice crackers

Quinoa and rice pastas (Notta Pasta)

7 Mr. Spice Organic, No Salt Added Sauces—from Thai Peanut to Honey BBQ

Curry powder mix and mango chutney from Kerala Curry, a local company in Pittsboro, NC

Several varieties of Eden Organic no salt added canned beans

Desert Pepper White Bean Dip

A number of salsas—from traditional to Mango Gingersnap, Pineapple Mojito and Southwest Sunset

The Ginger People’s Sweet Ginger Chili Sauce—a favorite and bestseller among Ricers. It’s great on spring rolls, drizzled over a stir-fry or as a glaze on fish or meat. We have the spring roll wrappers too!

The 2010 dietary guidelines encourage individuals to watch their sodium levels. Recommended ranges are from 1500mg-2300mg daily. The Rice Diet Program focuses on a low sodium diet, so the above products will be gluten free and low in sodium!

The Rice Diet Store
1644 Cole Mill Road
Durham,NC 27705
http://www.ricedietstore.com/
919-383-7276 ext 2

Options for a Gluten Free Diet-Community Lecture

2011-09-17T08:06:00.000-04:00

Duke's community education center, Teer House, will be offering a free lecture entitled "Options for a Gluten Free Diet". The speaker is Lesley Stanford, MS,RD,CSP who is a dietitan that has worked with families and the gluten free diet for years through her position with Duke's pediatric gastroenterology clinic. I have heard Lesley speak several times, and she offers sound, practical advice to help navigate the gluten free diet.

The program objective is listed as: Learn what's new with the gluten free diet and how to tailor your needs.

The class is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27, 2011 6:30-8:00 and registration is required. You can access more information and register here. http://www.durhamregional.org/events/20110225112221289?event_location=20050825140000044

Teer House
4019 North Roxboro Rd
Durham, NC 27704
919-477-2644

California Pizza Kitchen, Restaurant Review Update

2011-09-16T18:30:00.000-04:00

I first posted about California Pizza Kitchen's gluten free menu back in January, see earlier review here. If you have been following blogging news you are aware that CPK has launched a new gluten free menu this summer that includes an offering of gluten free pizza crust. There have been many questions raised about the possibility of cross contamination in the food preparation area prior to one actually receiving their "gluten free menu item". In fact California Pizza Kitchen protects itself by stating the following information on it's menu

“Gluten-Free” designations are based on information provided
by our ingredient suppliers. Warning: Ingredients or production
methods used by our suppliers may change, or there may be
product differences among regional suppliers. Additionally,
normal kitchen operations involve shared cooking and preparation
areas, or we may need to substitute ingredients in menu items.
We are therefore unable to guarantee that any menu item
is free from gluten or any other allergen, and we assume no
responsibility for guests with food allergies or sensitivities.

I would like to suggest that really any time a gluten free diner chooses to eat out side of one's own home, there are risks of cross contamination. So how do you reduce this risk?
1. Do your homework before going to the restaurant, gluten free menus help with menu selection
2. Visit the restaurant at non busy times. Friday night 7:30 pm at a pizza restaurant really increases the chance of cross contamination.
3. Talk to your wait staff and the manager. If you have Celiac Disease or severe gluten sensitivity explain your condition as a medical necessary diet. With gluten free diets being somewhat of a fad these days, it is difficult for restaurants to understand how a patron can order a gluten free meal but perhaps still eat a piece of bread from the bread basket!
4. Thank those establishments that follow sound procedures for reducing the chance of cross contamination: different preparation areas, changing gloves, different marked plates for gluten free items, gluten free testing of products, etc.

So my family decided to go check out this gluten free pizza offering one non-busy evening last week. We visited the California Pizza Location at South Point. We ordered two different gluten free pizzas and thought the taste and quality were excellent. As far as we know we were not "glutenized", we had no reactions after enjoying our pizza. So what is a gluten free diner to do? Do you take risks on eating out? How do you minimize these risks? I would love to hear comments on how other gluten free folks approach this dining dilemma?

UPDATE 9/17/2011: California Pizza Kitchen has pulled the gluten-free crust option from its menu at all locations. CPK says that it is reviewing the pizza prep methods with an eye toward bringing it back in the future.

Bravo to CPK for taking responsibility to correct their prepartion practices so that a gluten free pizza order, has a chance to arrive at your table as really gluten free!

Stay tuned....

Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe'-restaurant review

2011-09-05T19:59:00.004-04:00

A highlight for me this weekend included a visit to Vimala's Curryblossom Cafe' to enjoy some delicious Indian Food with good friends. Now I have been hearing raves about this special place but this was the first opportunity I had to taste the cuisine. My experience was beyond my expectations. Vimala's is located in the courtyard area of West Franklin Street. It has a small indoor dining area and outdoor seating in the courtyard. It was difficult to decide what to order because there were so many gluten free options to choose from!!! The clearly marked gluten free items included: Pakoras, Rice and dal, Tandori chicken,Beef curry, Kofta curry and several others. I enjoyed the Tandoori chicken entree, which came with basamati rice and a salad, reasonably priced at $9.00.

The service and hospitality at this restaurant were outstanding. The staff are accomodating to food allergies and gluten free dining. Vimala personally visited with us at our table and even treated us to samplings of their delicious fish stew, gluten free brownie, and these yummy carrot cookies called Gaajar Halwa.

This restaurant has received great reviews since it's opening in June 2010. They are committed to the farm to fork process, use local foods when possible and embrace the community. To Read more details visit their website here.

Vimala also shares her talent through cooking classes and I learned that she is hosting a Gluten and Vegan Cooking Class Soon! Described on her website

On Sunday September 18th 2-5pm join Vimala for a cooking class: Gluten-free and Vegan cooking. Space is limited to 12 people per class. Please reserve space(s) in the class(es) by emailing vimala@curryblossom.com. Cost is $65 payable at the time of the class. Work trade is available for a few who can not afford to pay the entire price. Hope to see you there!

So whether you are a UNC student, Chapel Hill resident, or other Triangle area foodie who ventures to Vimala's Restaurant you will enjoy the food and the experience.

Vimala's does not take reservations and can get crowded so plan ahead!

Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday-Saturday
Hours 11:30-2 and 5-9
Catering
431 W. Franklin St
Chapel Hill 27516
Parking off S. roberson St
919-929-3833
www.curryblossom.com

NFCA SPONSORED WEBINAR FOR PARENTS OF GLUTEN FREE KIDS:

2011-08-22T21:46:00.003-04:00

Thursday, August 25th is back to school for most Durham Public School students. For those parents that might be sending their gluten free child off to school, it can feel a little scary . Does your school nurse or administration need more information on the gluten free diet? Consider the following resource. As a parent you may want to participate in the live webinar on Thursday and then send a note to school personnel about listening to the recorded webinar at a later time. Be a postive influence in the school and an advocate for your child.

Importance of School Nurse Education &

How-To Strategies for Parents of Gluten-Free Kids

Thursday, August 25th, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT

Topics included in Thursday's Webinar include:

Explain the 504 Plan and its impact on the child's rights in the school environment.
• Advise why school nurses should be educated on celiac disease and the gluten-free diet, including a review of their role in the classroom setting.
• Provide a list of school support staff and their appropriate roles in accommodating a celiac child's needs.
• Share strategies on how parents can maneuver the school year with their gluten-free child.
• Offer tips and suggestions on how parents can create a safe and healthy gluten-free school environment, including recipes and common challenges in the classroom's social setting, such as lunch and snack time, birthday parties and field trips.

Registration information is available at NFCA' site.

FDA reopens comment period on Gluten Free Labeling

2011-08-02T21:12:00.002-04:00

I listened to a very informative conference call from FDA discussing the current status of Gluten Free Labeling and the reopening of the comment period on the Gluten Free Labeling of foods today. The comment period is set to reopen August 3, 2011 and remain open for 60 days. The federal registry notice is available to the public, those with Celiac Disease, gluten sensitvity, care givers and health care professionals to comment on the proposed definition of Gluten Free. The current proposal is to identify gluten free as foods that measure less than 20ppm (parts per million)and supported by most health care professionals as safe for those with Celiac Disease. This is the lowest level of detectable gluten that is measurable at this time. Be mindful that all gluten free labeling is voluntary and currently is not regulated at this time. If you would like to read more about this update and gluten free labeling see the FDA News Release.
Questions and Answers Regarding Gluten Free Labeling of Foods.
If you would like to make a comment on gluten free labeling click here
What to comment on?? Your thoughts on uniform labeling, scientific information, food shopping experience, concerns about cross contamination of products, etc.

Final ruling is now expected to be by the third quarter of 2012.

Zen Cat Bakery back in Durham

2011-07-30T07:22:00.003-04:00

I was contacted by Angie, owner of Zen Cat Bakery and asked to let readers know she will be back in Durham on Sunday July 31 12-5 at the Motorco's Marketplace in Durham (MotorCo Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham).Directions to the market are on the MotorCo website. She features gluten free and vegan baked goods. See my earlier June post about this Greensboro bakery,here.

MEZ Contemporary Mexican, Restaurant Review

2011-07-10T18:32:00.006-04:00

MEZ Contemporary Mexican Restaurant offers a gluten free lunch and dinner menu! This a favorite spot for busy lunch time traffic and a fun place to meet for dinner. Mez is located on Page Road in Durham, so very convenient from various RTP sites. A creature of habit, I have enjoyed the chicken soft tacos for lunch several times. Their food is very fresh tasting, not your typical fast food Mexican fare. They make their own guacamole on site and my server offered to bring me toasted corn tortillas to use for dipping. Their corn chips are not listed on the gluten free menu. I have been told by two different wait staff that the chips are gluten free but they are fried with gluten containing items, so if one is really sensitive to gluten they should be avoided. If you are thinking of trying MEZ out for lunch, I recommend you call ahead for reservations,919-941-IMEZ (1630) as they get really crowded during typical lunch hours. You can also go to their website and make a reservation through the Open Table link. Each visit my server has been very accommodating and quickly brought our meals and check so that we were able to head back to work in a timely fashion.

MEZ
5410 Page Road
Durham, NC 27703

Lunch M-F: 11-4
Dinner M-F: 4-9:30/10:00; Sat/Sun: 5-10:00/9:30

Gluten Free Rice Krispies Arrive

2011-07-04T08:14:00.008-04:00

SNAP! CRACKLE! POP! I had read about Kellog's releasing their GF Rice Krispies a few months ago. Yesterday I found them at the Kroger on Hillsborough Road in Durham. Beware, regular Rice Krispies are still on the market and still contain malt, so be sure to look for the Gluten Free option. The ingredients include: whole grain brown rice, sugar, salt, and BHT for freshness. Fortified with the following vitamins and minerals: iron, Vitamins C, E, A, D, B6, B2, B1, B12, and folic acid. A low sugar cereal choice, there is less than 1 gram of sugar per 1 cup serving. According to their website: kellog's Rice Krispies are produced in a gluten free facility and each batch is tested to ensure it's gluten free status.

Of course I had to grab some marshmallows too so we could make Rice Krispie treats for the Fourth of July. See picture of my red and blue treats. This made my family happy.

The box of cereal cost around $4.39, not cheap. The good thing is Kellogs offers lots of coupons for cereal, so this can bring the cost per box down to a more affordable price. I checked the price for bulk ordering on Amazon grocery which listed the cereal at 4 boxes for $15.90, so not that much of a savings there.

So whether you like your Rice Krispies in a bowl with milk or made into a bar, it is nice to have a gluten free option readily available.

Harris Teeter Provides Gluten Free list

2011-06-13T07:34:00.000-04:00

Harris Teeter continues to increase gluten free items in their store. The Harris Teeter website provides an 11 page handout of gluten free items shoppers can find in the store. Note the following disclaimer:

Product ingredients are subject to change, so always read the label and/or check with the manufacturer. We will update this list quarterly as our products continue to grow and change.

Recently I have noticed an expanded offering of the Crunch Master brand gluten free cracker. The Sea Salt flavor is My daughter's new favorite cracker. You will find these located in the deli area of the store. Get your $1.00 off coupon here.

Zen Cat Bakery visits Durham

2011-06-09T07:42:00.004-04:00

I was contacted by Angie Kenny,owner of Zen Cat Bakery, who asked me to share some news with Durham readers. Zen Cat Bakery is a gluten-free and vegan bakery in Greensboro, NC that opened in early 2010 as a wholesale bakery. They send GF and vegan goodies to local markets, cafes and coffee shops. The bakery also completes special orders, and just opened an Etsy online/mail order storefront. Shelby, over at Gluten Free Greensboro wrote about this bakery in a post dated August 8, 2010.

Zen Cat Bakery will make its debut in Durham Sunday, June 12, at Motorco's Marketplace in Durham (MotorCo Music Hall, 723 Rigsbee Ave, Durham). They will have a booth from 12 - 5pm. This "handmade market" just started a few weeks ago.

I asked Angie about the ingredients and preparation of her products and this is her response:

Zen Cat Bakery produces only gluten-free and vegan products, and its noted on my website that I currently bake in a facility (catering kitchen) that is not gluten-free. However, I do not work at the same time with this other business, and Zen Cat bakery has its own mixing/ baking equipment. This year I am planning to move into a dedicated kitchen that is completely gluten-free.

To read more about the bakery you can visit the Zen Cat website.

The Cake Mix Doctor bakes Gluten Free

2011-05-14T08:08:00.004-04:00

I wanted to share with my readers a recent find I have added to my book shelf:
The Cake mix Doctor Bakes gluten-Free by Anne Byrn This author has published various baking books in the past to help busy individuals speed up their cooking and baking time with yummy results. This is her first cookbook dedicated to gluten free baking. All recipes are based on the 15 oz size gluten free cake mixes, now readily available in most grocery stores. She "doctors up" these basic cake mixes in various ways to provide a variety of results. Chapter topics include:
How to Bake a Cake and Eat it, Too
Gluten Free Layers
Make Your Own Wedding Cake
Gluten-Free Bundts
Straight From the Pan
Gluten-Free Cupcakes and Muffins
Brownies, Bars and Cookies
Gluten-Free Frostings
The pictures on this post are examples of the "Darn Good Chocolate Cake" recipe. The cake tasted very good and had an excellent rise and texture. I have also made the "toasted coconut cake" with equally good results. I look forward to trying many other recipes. I purchased my book from Barnes and Nobel, I have also seen it available at Sam's Club locally.

Durham Man who sold "gluten free bread" goes to prison!

2011-04-13T08:07:00.005-04:00

Because Zach over at GF Raleigh has done such an awesome job covering this story I want to point readers over to the GF Raleigh page for all the details of this amazing story. This is a huge verdict for those of us suffering with Celiac disease and trying to navigate a gluten free diet safely. Hajo's blog at Custom Choice Cereal has also done a nice job of writing up the events in this story. To see the News and Observer's article from April 12, 2011 click here.

Gluten Free Food Labeling Summit

2011-04-02T09:00:00.003-04:00

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It is estimated that 21 million Americans suffer from Celiac disease or gluten intolerance. Yet, the FDA has continued to drag it's feet in implementing the standards for gluten free labeling. This labeling is part of the 2004 Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA).

FALCPA requires FDA to issue a proposed rule that will define and permit the voluntary use of the term "gluten free" on the labeling of foods by August 2006 and a final rule no later than August 2008.

Some leaders in the gluten free community are teaming up to create a news worthy event in Washington DC during May which is Celiac Awareness Month. On May 4th baking guru Jules Shepard,and others will present a 12 foot gluten free, dairy free cake at a reception for federal law makers, gluten free food manufacturers, members of the gluten free community and the media.

So how can you get involved? Sign a petition, donate money, write a letter to the FDA,or travel to Washington DC. For more information and details you can access the
"1 in 133 site".

Martin's Curry Rice in Morrisville/Cary Area

2011-03-16T06:52:00.005-04:00

I recently found a gem of a place for lunch. Martin's Curry Rice, has been open just 6 months and the majority of the menu is gluten free!

Owner and Chef, Martin Sreshta, greets diners as they enter and explains the restaurants concept: guests pick their vegetable and meat choice, and then choose one of three sauces. Selections are either boiled or steamed. The sauces are based on a stop light and are all gluten free!

Green: mild peppery taste with fresh accent of mint and cilantro
Yellow: mild curry sauce with sweet honey
Red: spicy sauce with cayenne pepper
The meal comes with a choice of brown or white rice.

I chose chicken, kale, onion, mushrooms,tomatoes, with the spicy red sauce and brown rice. It was delicious, very fresh tasting. The portions were generous and my meal cost $7.56. Daily lunch specials are offered for 5.99 and include a drink.

The restaurant is not only gluten free friendly but also a great option for vegetarians and those trying to make a healthy choices or follow the Weight Watchers program. In addition it is easy to incorporate the National Nutrition Month Theme of "Eat Right With Color" by choosing a variety of vegetables!

I recommend you give this place a try, let Martin know you read about the review on Gluten Free Durham.

Martin's Curry Rice
9549 Chapel Hill Rd.
Morrisville, NC 27650
919-380-7780

located at the intersection of Chapel Hill Rd(Hwy54) and Cary Pkwy

Hours:
Monday-Saturday
Lunch: 11-2:30
Dinner: 5:30-9:00

"Eat Right With Color" is Easy to do on a Gluten Free Diet

2011-03-05T08:28:00.003-05:00

March is National Nutrition Month® and this year’s theme is “Eat Right with Color”Just as a painter uses a variety of colors to produce an artistic masterpiece, choosing colorful foods can lead to a masterful diet! Although a gluten free option, I am not talking about sprinkling multi-color M & Ms® on your plate. For a healthy diet, it is recommended that half of your lunch and dinner plate be filled with fruits and vegetables. This is easy to accomplish following a gluten free diet, since fruit and vegetables in their natural state are gluten free!

Eating right with color increase both nutrient and eye appeal. Colorful foods are generally a nutrient dense choice.

Green Foods: such as kiwi, avocado, grapes, broccoli, asparagus and spinach provide antioxidants and folate.

Purple/Blue Foods: such as blackberries, blueberries, eggplant and purple cabbage provides antioxidants and may have some anti aging benefits.

Red Foods: such as pomegranate, cherries, red grapes, red peppers and tomatoes are sources of lycopene and anthocyanins and may help maintain a healthy heart and reduce cancer risks.

Orange and Deep Yellow Foods: such as apricot, mango, peach, carrots and sweet potatoes promote healthy vision and immunity by providing vitamin A and vitamin C.

Add some color to your diet! To access some gluten free recipes and other resources click the National Nutrition Month's site here.
Debbie Jongkind, RD, LDN Registered Dietitian

Celiac Disease in Mature Adults

2011-02-23T07:33:00.004-05:00

Did you know that according to the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America that 30% of those diagnosed with Celiac Disease are over the age of 60? Imagine living 60+ years and suddenly being told you need to follow a gluten free diet. It can be quite overwhelming. Be encouraged; it can also increase one's quality of life by improving health! There is a free publication geared toward the mature adult made available through the joint efforts of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North American and The National Foundation For Celiac Awareness. You can access this 4 page guide here.

Gluten- Free Cooking Class at Southern Season

2011-02-16T09:18:00.002-05:00

A Southern Season in Chapel Hill is hosting a gluten free cooking class at 1 pm, on Saturday, Feb 26. The instructor is Lai Breana who is a graduate of the Le Cordon Bleu and a registered dietitian at UNC-Chapel Hill. The class costs $35.00 and will feature the following menu:

Parmesan crisps with edamame hummus
Beef and potato stew with cocoa
Maple frosted pumpkin fingers

To register call 919-929-7133 or click here for the Southern Season Web page.

Moe's Southwest Grill, Restaurant Review

2011-02-09T08:09:00.003-05:00

Moe's Southwest Grill, has recently updated their gluten free information now dated 1/ 17/ 2011. This quick Mexican restaurant boasts of over 20 gluten free ingredients. In fact a recent commercial (see it here) portrays a customer making a request for a gluten free item. Note the commercial is comical in a few ways: Of course the picky customer makes one smile, BUT further she orders "gluten free, hormone free chicken" on a whole wheat tortilla and accepts the free chips and salsa. The chicken may be gluten free, BUT THE WHOLE WHEAT TORTILLA AND CHIPS ARE NOT! Their updated website reads:

No Gluten? No Problem: Our menu proudly features over 20 gluten free ingredients. With the growing number of Americans affected by gluten allergies, more and more people are subscribing to a gluten free diet.

The rice bowls are gluten free, you can see further allergen information and gluten free ingredient listingshere.

You can visit Moe's in the Durham Area:
Southpoint Area
6807-122 Fayetteville Road
Durham, NC 27713
(919) 544-6637

Brier Creek Area
7850 Alexander Promenade Place
Suite 115, Raleigh, NC 27617
(919) 957-9075

California Pizza Kitchen, Restaurant Review

2011-01-30T18:46:00.004-05:00

Recently at Southpoint Mall in Durham with some friends, I ended up at California Pizza Kitchen to talk about the movie we had just seen. I figured I would just order something to drink, knowing that they did not offer gluten free pizza. I was surprised to learn that they are now offering a New Gluten Free Menu! While there still is no gluten free pizza, I was pleased to find a nice offering of soups, salads, fish, chicken and ice cream sundaes for dessert. I tried the white corn guacamole and chips listed under their "Small Cravings" section. This was a nice post movie snack!

Note: the menu does contain the following disclaimer:

Due
to these circumstances, we are unable to guarantee that any menu item can
be completely free of allergens, and we do not assume responsibility for
a particular allergy or sensitivity to any food provided in our restaurants.

These statements seem to becoming common place in restaurants that want to capture the gluten free market, yet limit their responsibility to gluten free diners.....

Puffins Multigrain Cereal, Product Review

2011-01-26T08:40:00.006-05:00

Kroger continues to expand its gluten free offerings. While stocking up on my usual supplies in the Nature's Market area of the store, I noticed an end cap with Puffins Multi Grain Cereal. Puffins Multi Grain cereal is labeled Gluten Free and is verified to contain less than 20 ppm gluten. In addition to being gluten free, each 3/4 cup serving also provides 3 g of fiber, is low sodium 80 mg, and only has 6 g of sugar (which is 1 1/2 teaspoons). And the price was nice too, only $2.49 per box; I do think the usual price is $4.49 and not sure how long the promotion is available. Note: The Barbara's cereal line contains three gluten free offerings: Multigrain, Honey Rice, Brown Rice Crisps. They also have other cereals, so be sure to read the label and choose a GF option. You can download a coupon for $1.00 off at Barbara's website.

Jason's Deli-Disclaimer Label

2011-01-23T08:58:00.004-05:00

I have previously posted a restaurant review on the gluten free sandwich option at Jason's Deli, see this post here. I wanted to bring attention to the fact that it now seems like Jason's Deli is "protecting itself" by the labeling placed on my order yesterday. In case you cannot read the label clearly it says: "Please note your gluten free menu choice may come in contact with ingredients containing gluten on your sandwich. Our management teams and service staff are not trained on the intricacies of Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance and cannot be expected to provide recommendations or other advise on this issue."
The issue of law suits and responding to market demand of gluten free items seems to be a tough issue for restaurants. I personally wish large chains like Jason's Deli would find it worthwhile to connect with the Gluten Intolerance Groups, Restaurant Awareness Programs that would help provide the information needed to adequately train staff.

The Brunch Box, Restaurant Review

2011-01-09T19:31:00.003-05:00

Although I live in Durham, my office is located in the Morrisville area. I'd like to give a a quick review of the family owned restaurant: The Brunch Box They specialize in "Fresh and Fast Favorites" to include deli sandwiches, salads, eggs, hummus, and homemade soups. While the restaurant does not have a gluten free menu they are very accommodating to my questions and requests during my lunch orders. I have enjoyed some delicious salads and sides and look forward to trying one of their gluten free soup options. Note: ask about the ingredients in the soup when ordering. The small family business offers excellent customer service. They also provide corporate catering.

At times I have found myself at a catered event without any good options. Be proactive if you know your company will be catering an event and call and ask what options they can provide for someone on a gluten free diet. This is a request that is becoming more common and many restaurants are happy to provide a healthy alternative for someone on a special diet.

The Brunch Box
www.thebrunchbox.net
contactbbx@gmail.com
919-380-7276
10970 Chapel Hill Rd, Suite 120
Morrisville, NC 27560

Hours: M-F 6:30 am-3:00 pm

Evalutating Your Gluten Free Diet in the New Year

2011-01-02T15:25:00.004-05:00

As the New Year begins it is always a great time to evaluate your health and your gluten free diet. Speaking from my perspective as a dietitan and nutrition coach I encourage readers to ask yourself the following questions:

Am I satisfied with my current diet?
Are there areas in my eating patterns that I should improve?
What foods do I miss from my previous diet? Have I found adequate substitutes? Do I need to find a new recipe?
How did I feel about eating during the holiday season? What could I do now that would make me more prepared for holidays 2011?
Am I satisfied with my current weight, is it within a healthy BMI (body mass index range)?
Besides being gluten free how nutritious is my diet? Do I consume enough calcium? What about fiber? Other nutrients?
How many servings of fruits and vegetables do I eat each day? What are some ways to increase the amount?
What new foods would I like to try?
What resources do I need to better equip me in navigating the gluten free diet?
When is the last time I had a physical? If I have Celiac Disease does my doctor check my celiac labs on an annual basis?
In addition to following a gluten free diet, what other steps do I need to take to maximize my health?
What is the one thing I can do today that will help me improve my overall health and gluten free diet?

Happy New Year, Debbie

Udi's Product Display at local Kroger

2010-12-28T21:06:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to mention some new products I have seen at various Kroger stores in the Durham area. Look for the special display of Udi's gluten free products available in the deli/bakery section of the store. Most other GF products are located in the Nature's Market area of the store. I have seen this at both the Kroger on Hillsborough Road and the South West Durham location near Kohls. Products available include: bread, granola, muffins, cinnamon rolls, pizza crust, cookies and bagels. Kroger continues to offer many great gluten free options for their customers. See my previous posts on Kroger here.

Holiday Contest

2010-12-07T20:23:00.006-05:00

Crunch master crackers and NFCA are sponsoring a holiday recipe contest:
Enter a gluten free recipe using crunch master crackers by Jan 1, 2011 and be eligible for one of five prizes:
1) One Grand Prize Winner will receive: $500 in cash
(4) First Place winners will receive: $50 in Crunchmaster products (4 – 21oz packs of Crunchmaster Baked Rice Crackers & 4 -20oz boxes of Crunchmaster Original Multi-Grain Crackers)
All participants (that's you!) will receive a coupon for a FREE 4.5oz bag of Crunchmaster crackers.
For contest details and further information click here. I personally love these crackers, they are a hearty alternative from rice crackers. The Crunch master crackers are available locally at Costco.

Holiday Gift Ideas for the Gluten Free Person on your List

2010-12-07T19:52:00.005-05:00

Looking for some gift ideas for a gluten free friend or something to add to your own holiday wish list, well I have a few suggestions of things you might enjoy:

-Gift certificate to Rosie's Plate or Twin Cakes Bakery for gluten free goodies
-Toast It, Toaster bags to toast your gluten free bread in any toaster
-Gift subscription to a magazine that offers lots of gluten free ideas such as: Living Without, Delight, Gluten Free Living
-Elisa EZ Gluten testing kits for testing foods
-Gift certificate to a restaurant that offers a gluten free menu see restaurant reviews
-Personalized gluten free cereal from Custom Choice Cereal
-Registration Fee for "gluten free week" at Camp Kanata
-Attendance at a national support groups annual conference
-Soy-Yer gluten free "play-dough"
-Great book released in 2010: Real Life with Celiac Disease
-Gift certificate to a gluten free cooking class
-Gift certificate for gluten free specialty products at local grocers or on line shopping sites

These are just a few of my ideas, if you have a great resource or product that others would enjoy leave a comment on Gluten Free Durham. We all learn from each other. Happy Holidays!

Note: I do not receive any compensation from the above companies mentioned.

The Best Of Gluten Free Awards

2010-11-20T08:50:00.002-05:00

I was recently contacted by Triumph Dining to get the word out to readers about The Best of Gluten Free Awards. This is a project where readers can vote for their favorite gluten free foods in various categories. Triumph Dining is offering a FREE 5-pack of American Dining Cards to the first 2000 voters. Details from the email I received state:

We’re launching the first-annual Best of Gluten-Free Awards to select the best gluten-free products on the market and to thank the companies that provide them. And we’d like you and your readers to pick the winners. Not only will you get to honor your favorite brands and products, but we’ll also give the first 2,000 voters a chance to sign up for our newsletter and get a FREE five-pack of American Dining Cards (worth $11!). The dining cards are completely free to anyone with a US shipping address, just for completing the survey (we’re even covering shipping).

If you are interested in casting your vote, click here.

Save the Date, Camp Kanata 2011

2010-11-08T21:36:00.002-05:00

Just a heads up that "Gluten Free Week" at Camp Kanata has been set for August 7-13. You can access further information from the Camp Kanata and Gluten Intolerance Group Websites. Read previous posts about this week long residential camp experience near Wake Forest.

Navigating the Gluten Free Diet with Confidence- lecture at UNC Wellness Center

2010-11-01T21:12:00.004-04:00

Please consider joining me for a learning opportunity on Monday, November 8,2010 6:30-8:00pm at the UNC Wellness Center, Meadowmont This is a free event to members and non-members of the wellness center but pre-registration is required call 919-966-5500.
As a dietitian I have given a variety of "diet instructions" to clients over the years. It has been my own diagnosis with Celiac Disease and then later helping my teenage daughter navigate this in her own life that has really given me the expertise to speak about the many facets of the gluten free diet. Using my professional education and life experience I have had the opportunity to train other health care providers, speak to community groups, and serve as the camp dietitan at gluten free week/Camp Kanata for 4 years. I am looking forward to returning to the UNC wellness center to share my passion for following a healthy gluten free lifestyle!

Navigating the Gluten Free Diet with Confidence
Debbie Jongkind, RD,LDN
Monday, Nov 8, 2010
6:30-8:00pm
UNC Wellness Center,Meadowmont
100 Sprunt St, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-7811
(919) 966-5500

Jason's Deli, Restaurant Review

2010-10-28T20:12:00.008-04:00

I am happy to report that Jason's Deli is now making sandwiches available on Udi's gluten free bread! Both the Durham location and the Brier Creek location have this available in their stores. After some further questioning about this new option I learned that when someone orders a gluten free sandwich the employee must change their gloves and also place the "take out paper liner" on the counter to make the sandwich. I felt like both locations were very informed of the problems with potential cross contamination. If the sandwich is to be warmed in the oven it is put on a separate pan that is for gluten free products. If you order a Panini style sandwich it will go through the panini maker which is NOT GLUTEN FREE. The Jason's Deli website provides a link that reviews nutrition and allergen information. The Brier Creek, Jason's Deli offered me a gluten free menu when I place my order and also informed me that the manager would make my gluten free sandwich. It was delicious: turkey,sprouts, onion, homemade guacamole on Udi's bread. The menu also highlighted the items on the salad bar that were gluten free and the stuffed potatoes that could be ordered gluten free. Oh and good news the ice cream is gluten free(minus the cone of course)! What a treat to be able to go out to eat and order a sandwich. THANK YOU JASON's DELI!
Please note when eating out there is always the risk of cross contamination.

Locations;
Durham
5408 New Hope Commons Dr.
Durham, NC 27707
Phone: 919-493-3350

Raleigh/Brier Creek Area
8421 Brier Creek Pkwy.
Raleigh, NC 27617
Phone: 919-572-9996

Carolina Hurricanes: 2010-2011 Gluten Free Update

2010-10-25T21:58:00.000-04:00

I have previously written about Gluten Free options at the RBC Center during Carolina Hurricanes games over the last couple seasons. See below for the 2010-2011 season update.

A few weeks ago, I checked in with the food & beverage department again to gather updates on the GF options available this season. One big complaint I heard often was the people had difficulty finding RedBridge. It appears that they are working on some signage this year which should help folks in that area.

I'm happy to report continued support of Gluten Free options for the upcoming 2010-2011 season which kicks off this Wednesday, October 27th, 2010. The Food & Beverage Department at the RBC Center has done a great job accommodating those on a Gluten Free Diet. I'd like to send a huge thanks to Chris Diamond and all the folks responsible for these GF options.

If you are interested in tickets, check out the following page. Also a reminder that this years NHL All Star Game will be held at the RBC Center the weekend of January 28-30th. Any visitors to the RBC Center that are looking for Gluten Free options should be pretty pleased.

2010-2011 Carolina Hurricanes Gluten Free options @ RBC Center

1) RedBridge beer will be carried at the following locations. It will be carried on all 3 levels of the arena (hopefully signage coming soon).

The bar @ Section 124
Lower Level - Bud Light Deck
Club Level (2nd Deck) - All private Suites, Arena Club Restaurant, Ledge Lounge bar and Champions Club
Upper Deck - Section 312 - Pub 300

2) The following Gluten Free food options are available.

Call in advance (at least 4pm on game days) 919-861-5479 and request a GF meal from Executive Chef Flood. This special menu option includes a plate of grilled chicken, steamed broccoli and carrots and will run in the $15 range. You can coordinate the details on picking up the GF dinner when you call.
Carvery Cart Meat Option with Salad - Sections 104 & 124
Philly Steak Cart, order without bun - Sections 123 & 324
Sausage Stop Cart, order without bun - Sections 105, 120 & 306
Many concession stands throughout the arena serve candy options like Skittles, M&Ms and Snickers as well as popcorn - all Gluten Free.
Soft serve ice cream from the Twisted Waffle Ice Cream Company is Gluten Free, Lactose Free and Cholesterol Free (no cone) - Section 116 & 322
Dippin’ Dots (I checked their Web site and they are gluten free - does not include Birthday Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or Cookies n Cream) - Sections 105,110,120, 308, 316, 324
Sunset Slush (I checked their Web site and they are gluten free) - Sections 127

In addition to all these awesome options, each concession stand will also have a Food Allergy Ingredient Listing document which details the ingredients of each concession item. If something is in question, please ask the concession worker for this document and you can review all the ingredients yourself to be 100% sure. The listing should include ingredient warnings for the following; wheat & gluten, milk, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts as well as MSG. I've shown an example below - the red letters will indicate the allergen.

Butter - Partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, soybean lecithin, natural and artificial butter flavor, TBHQ, and Citric acid, vitamin A, and palmitate. Colored with beta cartone. S

Cheddar Cheese - Maltodextrin (corn), whey powder, cheddar cheese, salt, sugar, sodium, phosphate, lactic acid, yellow #5 (E102), citric acid, yellow #6 (E110), partially hydrogentrated soybean oil, silicon dioxide, FD&C Yellow #6 (E110), disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate. M S

Halloween Resources

2010-10-23T08:59:00.004-04:00

With Halloween nearly a week away I wanted to point you towards a few resources that may help you find some nice treats:

1. Rosie's Plate in Raleigh will be hosting a Benefit Tasting for Celiac Research on Friday, October 29 from 6:00-8:00 pm. The website states that 25% of donations plus 10% of all store sales will go to the University of Illinois Celiac Research Center. For further information see Rosie's website.

2. As you think about candy for Halloween there are a few sites that have published updated lists of gluten free candy: The Celiac Family has a nice list published on their site, as does The National Foundation For Celiac Awareness(NFCA).
The NFCA credits Sure Foods Living with the Candy List.

Note the candy lists should only be used as a guide. Product ingredients should be double checked to verify the gluten free status before eating.

Upcoming Learning Opportunities

2010-10-16T09:11:00.007-04:00

I want to mention three Upcoming learning opportunities to help you increase your knowledge regarding the gluten free diet, Celiac Disease, and gluten sensitivity.

1. NFCA Webinar:It's Not Just in Your Head the Psychological Impacts of Celiac Disease, Sunday October 17, 8 pm Eastern time. The NFCA website describes this webinar by saying:

Join NFCA as Marie-Nathalie Beaudoin, PhD, Training Director at Bay Area Family Therapy & Training Associates, goes beyond the physical and explains how celiac disease can affect us mentally.

If you read this post after the class, the website generally archives these Free webinars. To register or read more information, click here.

2. Gluten Free 101,Saturday Oct 23, 2010, 1:00-3:30 This class is presented by Zach Beker,(Gluten Free Raleigh) and will be held at Rosie's Plate in Raleigh. A description from the Rosie's Plate website reads:

If you've just been diagnosed with Celiac or wheat allergies this class is for you. Learn firsthand from someone who's been there. Taught by Zach Becker from the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog, you'll learn how to segue your kitchen to a gluten free lifestyle with tons of information from transitioning your kitchen to Celiac-friendly restaurants in the Triangle area. Note there is a $45.00 fee for this course(a portion donated to Camp Kanata)

To register contact Rosie's Plate.

3. Navigating the Gluten Free Diet with Confidence, UNC Wellness Center, Monday, November 8th 6:30-8:00. I (Debbie) will be returning to the UNC Wellness Center in Meadowmont to speak from my experience as a registered dietitian and someone who lives a gluten free life due to my own Celiac Disease. The UNC Wellness description of the class states:

The gluten-free world can be challenging when food shopping and eating out. This presentation will help you to learn about the reasons for choosing a gluten-free diet, learn about how foods are labeled as gluten-free, and how to choose the appropriate foods within the gluten-free diet.

Free for members and non-members
Please pre-register at the front desk or call 966-5500.

Increasing your knowledge, gathering tips from others, and keeping up on the latest scientific recommendations helps make following the gluten free diet much easier.

Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, Restaurant Review

2010-10-07T11:01:00.003-04:00

If you are looking for a fun spot in Durham you may want to visit the Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, located right at the Durham Bulls Pall Park. I will admit, I was a bit over stimulated when I walked into 40 big screen TVs the other night, but had a wonderful experience sitting outside on the patio which overlooked the Bulls ball diamond. There were lots of people rooting on their favorite college football team that night. You will also find abundant seating options: outside, inside, bar seating, private dining areas and recliners! I learned that there are two locations: the Durham location at: 280 Mangum St and one in Raleigh at 222 Glenwood Avenue. These locations are owned by brothers: Brian, Alex and Rommie Amra. Prior to meeting our friends for dinner, I investigated the menu on line and found the Tobacco Road Blog which detailed their gluten free offerings as follows:

The following items are gluten free or can be made gluten free by making the modification that are noted.

Entrees & Appetizers

BBQ Chicken – No tobacco onions
Fish/Lamb Gorditas – No tortilla
Steak Frites – Substitute a gluten free side for fries
Shrimp & Grits – No gravy
Mixed Green Salad – No croutons
Apple Walnut Salad
Cobb Salad
Arugula Salad
Ancho Chicken Salad – No tortilla strips
Hummus & Pimento Cheese with Veggies
Tarheel Wrap – No pita
Ribs
Burgers – No bun

Sides

Mashed Potatoes
Green Beans
Coleslaw
Collard Greens
Cheddar Grits

Our server was very knowledgeable and even offered to bring me extra vegetables for my hummus since I would not be using the pita bread. I was impressed when I asked about ingredients in the soup of the day and was told that the chef that made the soup was gone for the day and so they were erring on the side of caution and could not guarantee it was gluten free. If you are a sports fan or just looking for a fun place to eat that offers some gluten free options I would recommend you visit the Tobacco Road Sports Cafe in Durham!

Gluten Free Ponderings from Vacation

2010-10-02T09:13:00.006-04:00

I have just returned from travels to the west coast: can you see the Golden Gate Bridge through the fog? One of the reasons we chose California for vacation was the readily available options for gluten free dining; and we were not disappointed. Prior to my trip I did some research via the web to see what was available. I also called the airline to see if any meals would be served on my flight. No meals in flight so I packed a few gluten free options. Note: It is difficult to find gluten free foods in the airport. I did buy a fruit, vegetable and cheese tray on our layover and also noted one gift shop that offered a gluten free snack bar.

I discovered a free app for my android phone that served me quite well: Find me Gluten Free It helped locate restaurants and retail locations based on my geographic location. A description of the product from the website states:

Find Me Gluten Free is a way to easily find restaurants that accommodate to a gluten free diet. We only show restaurants that either have a gluten free menu or are known to accommodate guests who request gluten free meals

When I checked my Durham zip code 30+ entries popped up within a 20 mile radius.

Because there were easy to find Whole Food Markets and Trader Joes, I did not need to pack a suitcase full of gluten free foods. I enjoyed eating at lots of great places and would recommend: Pica-Pica, Scoma in San Fransisco, PF Changs, In-n-Out Burger(order your burger "protein style"),and Kara's cupcakes! Some local Italian restaurants substituted risotto for regular pasta and served it with their naturally GF pasta sauce. In general I found my servers at most restaurants very knowledgeable and accommodating to my gluten free requests.

Now back from vacation, so my posts will return to living gluten free here in Durham, stay tuned... If you have any great tips about navigating the gluten free diet in Durham send them my way. I will be happy to highlight those for the GF Durham reader.

NFCA Sponosored Webinar:The Gluten-Free Effect on Athletes: Improving Performance Through Diet

2010-09-15T08:02:00.004-04:00

I wanted to point you to another Free learning event sponsored by NFCA: National Foundation For Celiac Awareness;

Are you getting ready for your fall seasonal sport? Preparing for a race? Incorporating the right gluten-free foods into your diet can make all of the difference in your performance! Announcing NFCA's Webinar: "The Gluten-Free Effect on Athletes: Improving Performance Through Diet" on Tuesday, September 21 at 8:30PM EST.

For more information and to register for this webinar click here.

Free Community Education at Teer House

2010-09-12T08:08:00.003-04:00

The following topics may be of interest to readers of the Gluten Free Durham Blog. Both are part of Duke's community education outreach and held at the Teer House, located at 4019 N. Roxboro Road Durham, NC 27704. The classes are free but registration is required.

Monday, September 13, 2010, 7:00-8:30: Digestive Health: Innovation Strategies for Digestive Problems, Speaker: Evangeline Lausier, MD

Tuesday, September 14, 2010, 7:00-8:30: Re-boning up on Osteoporosis, Speaker: Thomas J. Weber, MD

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, 6:30-8:00: Celiac Disease, New Diet Options. Speaker: Lesley Stanford, MS, RD, CSP

For more information or to register click here

Heading to the Mountains?? Visit Posana Cafe

2010-09-10T19:00:00.000-04:00

If your vacation plans are taking you to the Mountains this fall then I need to give a shout out to the restaurant POSANA CAFE in downtown Asheville,NC. There have been some great reviews written about this place, so I was thrilled when I was actually in Asheville to visit some other GF family members and we were able to have dinner here! The location is perfect, just down from Mast General Store and offers inside and outside seating. (No reservation taken for the outside tables). Everything on the menu is gluten free with the exception of some regular beers from the bar. The marketing ploy of the owners is not to identify itself as solely gluten free. But as all things do in the gluten free community the good word has spread. So why does the menu ask you to identify yourself if you are ordering gluten free? Our server explained that the owners like to come and talk with you if they are available. That is nice customer service. You can view the menu choices here. We tried a delicious appetizer:

Pistachio, Walnut, and Pecan encrusted goat cheese trio with mixed greens, balsamico and sliced baguette (The bread was sliced thin and grilled, we asked for seconds!)

I enjoyed a shrimp risotto dish that was excellent. Others devoured a GF vegetarian burger, Grilled chicken breast sandwich and fries and gluten free pasta for the kids! Note Posana has recently been given the stamp of approval by the Gluten Free Restaurant Program.

According to their site:
The GFRAP resources have been written under the auspices of a Registered Dietitian, who has been working with both chain and independent restaurants for over fourteen years, helping restaurants with food preparation, kitchen procedures, menu development, training and marketing to meet the needs of gluten intolerant diners.
So plan a trip this fall to the mountains to see the leaves, but make sure you stop at Posana for a real treat!

Resource for Going to College Gluten Free

2010-08-18T06:25:00.004-04:00

Are you sending a gluten free child to college for the first time? Perhaps you are a student trying to navigate the food filled atmosphere of dining hall food, pizza and bagels? This can be an overwhelming feeling but with some pre planning, gluten free food orders and education this transition can go smoothly. My GF daughter will be heading back to school today for her second year and we both have more confidence about this move than we did last year at this time! I have learned of an upcoming web seminar sponsored by NFCA(National Foundation for Celiac Awareness) that may help equip those with needed information on navigating the gluten free diet in college:

Wondering how the gluten-free diet will affect your college experience?Register for NFCA's "Back to School" Webinar
Heading Off to College with Celiac Disease
Sunday, August 29 at 9 p.m. EDT/6 p.m. PT
Join NFCA as Rebecca Panzer, MA, RD, LD, offers professional guidance for college-bound celiacs!

Points covered will include:

Explore the challenges young adults with celiac disease may experience living on and off college campuses.
Answer common questions of college-bound celiacs and gluten-free teens.
Suggest ways to best navigate college administration, dining services and social challenges.
Celiac advocate Deb Mailand, a senior at Tufts University, will also join us to share her firsthand experience and explain how gluten-free can be a success away from home and on campus! Register Now
For more information, visit NFCA's Webinar page.

New Products from General Mills: Asian Chicken Helper Review

2010-08-14T08:38:00.002-04:00

It is almost time to send my gluten free daughter back to college. As she was thinking of easy things to cook for herself she came across the new Betty Crocker line of "helper meals" at Kroger. Based on the traditional hamburger helper theme of "one pound, one pan, one tasty meal", this sounded pretty quick and easy for a college student in her first apartment. We tried the Asian Chicken Helper, which called for a pound of chicken and 2 eggs in addition to the mix. The meal was easy to make and tasted pretty good. Although the package says it serves 5, we each ate about a 1/3 of the meal which provided about 466 kcals per serving. You can access lots of great information on products and recipes at the General Mills website Live Gluten Freely.

FYI: Gluten Free Tidbits to Share....

2010-08-04T09:08:00.002-04:00

* Chelsea Clinton's wedding was a private event and I read that caterers had to sign privacy agreements. There have been several published news stories that discuss her vegan menu options and her choice of a GLUTEN FREE WEDDING CAKE! I do not claim to know anything about Chelsea's medical history, but some articles claimed she has a "Gluten Allergy." Regardless of the reasons, this high profile wedding and discussion of the gluten free wedding cake, helps to continue to increase the awareness of Celiac Disease and a gluten free diet!

* My GF daughter had the recent experience of dining at Mellow Mushroom in Durham and noted that after she ordered her GF pizzza, the server proceeded to ask her if she had a true allergy to gluten? and when she answered yes, the server then took everything off the table and sanitized the table. She said it was a new procedure to make sure everything is clean and safe. Way to go the extra mile Mellow Mushroom!

*I have written previous posts about Twin Cakes having a booth at the Durham Farmer's market on Saturday morning, but note they are also there on Wednesday mornings!

Twin Cakes, Durham Farmers Market

2010-07-29T07:36:00.003-04:00

This is what you can expect from the twins Saturday, July 31st at the Durham Farmer's Market:
Saturday Morning Markets menu:
Cardamom Brownies
Plain brownies
Mint brownies
Blueberry brownies
Carrot cakes
Chocolate mint bundt cakes
Lemon pistachio scone
Sweet orange apricot scone
Chocolate chip orange scone
Banana almond muffins
Cinnamon raisin peach muffins
And more

Here are some raw items that you might see at the markets:
Cheez cracker
Rosemary cracker
Herb cracker
Pumpkin Kale Cracker
Collard green onion cracker (contains onions)
Pizza cracker
Sunflower seed cheez flatbread
Swiss chard black sesame seed flatbread (contains onions)
Purple kale chia flatbread (contains onions)
Kale hempseed flatbread (contains onions)
Kale sunflower seed flatbread (contains onions)
Lemon blueberry macaroon (sold individually)
Mint brownie squares
Mesquite banana bars

Free Learning Opportunity at The Rice Diet Program July 27, 2010

2010-07-15T14:26:00.006-04:00

The Rice Diet Program in Durham is hosting an interesting panel discussion: "Food Allergies From Fact to Fiction: Exploring the Many Misconceptions" for the nutrition professionals and opening this learning opportunity up to the community. The events objectives include:

Review contributing factors for developing and acquiring food allergies, from
genetic propensity to dietary consumption and environmental exposure.

Summarize the incidence of food allergies and percentage of those
“outgrowing” them.

Define and describe the diagnosis of celiac disease (CD) versus gluten
sensitivity or intolerance.

Describe other diseases’ incidences and correlations with CD, such as autism
and the autistic spectrum, diabetes, Downs Syndrome, etc.

Discuss whether we are over or under diagnosing CD and other food allergies.

Describe the dietitian’s role, as part of a team and in individual patient counseling,
in addressing food allergies and CD.

Respected Panelists include: Brian Vickery, MD, Lesley Stanford,MS,RD,LDN, Colm O’Loughlin, MB, BCh, BAO and moderator: Daniel Wild, MD

While the seminar is free, space is limited so preregistration is required by contacting:
Anna LaBarre at:
anna@ricediet.com or
(919) 383-7276 ext 237

Event Details:
Place: The Rice Diet Program
1644 Cole Mill Road in Durham
Date: Tuesday, July 27
Time: 7pm – 8:30pm

News From Twin Cakes, Durham Farmers Market

2010-07-14T09:09:00.002-04:00

The Following is an Update from the Twins:NEWS: Twin Cake Bakery and Pure2Raw are back! Thanks for everyone’s patience while we were out of town. We will be at the two Saturday Farmer’s Markets this coming weekend July 17.

Here is what we will have to sell this week at the Saturday- Durham Farmers Market (8am- noon) and the Carrboro Farmers Market (7am- noon).

Saturday Morning Markets menu:
Cardamom Brownies
Double chocolate brownies
Carrot cakes
Lemon blueberry scone
Orange Fig scone
Lemon apricot scone
Ginger peach muffin
Cocoa banana nutmeg muffin
And more

Here are some raw items that you might see at the markets:
Cheez cracker
Rosemary cracker
Herb cracker
Pumpkin Kale Cracker
Collard green onion cracker (contains onions)
*new item pizza cracker
Onion free spinach chia flatbread
Sunflower chia kale flatbread
Swiss chard hemp seed flatbread (contains onions)
Collard onion sesame flatbread (contains onions)
Purple kale chia flatbread (contains onions)
Kale hempseed flatbread (contains onions)
Peppermint brownie bites
Mint Chip Kremes
Pistachio orange coconut bars
Banana chocolate chip kreme bars

July Classes at Rosie's Plate

2010-07-11T19:52:00.002-04:00

Rosie's Plate in Raleigh has some interesting classes planned for the month of July. If you need some new gluten free menu ideas check your calendar and consider enrolling in one of the following classes:

Gluten Free Meals For A Week

**Thursday, July 15**

Rosie's Studio: 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM

Cooking Just Got Easier!

Gather in our studio for the inside scoop on preparing a week's worth of gluten free meals in one day! You'll learn how to plan, shop, cook and store meals that everyone can enjoy. You'll walk away with tons of information including delicious gluten free recipes.

Cost: $50

Cooking Demo: Easy Meals For Gluten Free Diets

**Saturday, July 17**

Rosie's Kitchen: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Turn Up The Heat In Your Kitchen!

Come watch and learn as Seth and Emily teach the ins and outs of cooking gluten free. Lots of sampling and recipes to take home. Come turn your dietary challenges into culinary adventures.

Featured Recipes: Parmesan Crusted Pork Tenderloin w/ Pan Tomato Sauce & Balsamic Glazed Veggies, Honey Lime Chicken w/ Quinoa, Portebello Pizzas, Watermelon Cucumber Salad, and Blondies

Cost: $50

Gluten Free Baking

**Saturday, July 31**

Rosie's Kitchen: 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Come Discover The Baker In You!

Join Emily in the kitchen for a fun-filled gluten free baking exploration. You'll learn how to substitute flours and feel like a pro at baking gluten free. Everyone gets a front row seat. Only six seats in a class. Lots of tastings!!

Featured Recipes: Buttermilk Biscuits, Sugar Cookies, Applesauce Spice Bread

Cost: $35

Call Rosie's at 919-833-0505 for more information and to enroll for a class

Until Next year: Camp Kanata 2010 Concludes

2010-07-05T20:24:00.007-04:00

"Until Next Time Be Well and Do Good" those are the parting words that the campers hear and read on their way out of Camp Kanata. This Saturday concluded a week of great fun and great gluten free food at Gluten Free Week at Camp Kanata in Wake Forest, North Carolina. The weather even cooled and provided the perfect camp atmosphere for the over night YMCA camp. Volunteers served campers from North Carolina, Florida, Virginia, Washington DC, and Maryland some delicious gluten free foods. I'd like to thank the numerous volunteers and donations that made this week possible for kids to experience a fun filled week at camp without any worry over what they would eat during meal and snack time. 30 campers who followed a gluten free diet played, slept, and ate along another 160+ campers this past week. The only thing that was different was where they picked up their food at meal time in the dining hall. The camps cycle menu was duplicated item by item so that those kids following a gluten free menu could eat and enjoy the fun that only Camp Kanata Dining Hall can provide. GIG secured many corporate food donations and our local support for this camp is wonderful. A special thanks to Zach for the fund raising efforts to support camp scholarships and expenses, and to the following local companies that donated products for the camp menu: Rosie's Plate, Mellow Mushroom, Bella Monica, Custom Choice Cereal, Happy Tummy Baking Co, Whole Foods Gluten Free Bake House, Harmony Farms, Whole Foods, Trader Joes, Kroger, Harris Teeter, and Target. In addition to smiling faces and full bellies we heard: "these are the best hot dogs and buns and thank you so much for all the food you cooked for us, thank you for the bag of goodies-love you for it!"
Gluten free Week in 2011 will probably be mid July. Stay tuned to the GIG Gluten Intolerance Group's website and Camp Kanata's website for further details.

Gluten Free Week at Camp Kanata Begins!

2010-06-27T21:30:00.000-04:00

What an exciting week ahead for 30 some campers as they begin their adventure at Camp Kanata during the "Olympic Week Theme", June 27- July 1st, 2010. The gluten free kitchen has been cleaned, donations procured, menus and volunteer schedules confirmed. This will be my fourth year volunteering as a camp dietitian and working with camp director extraordinaire: Alanna Conder. This year Cynthia Kuppper also a dietitian and the executive director of the Gluten Intolerance Group will be sweating along with a great group of volunteers to serve our GF campers. There have been numerous local donations to help make this camp possible which I will recap at the close of camp, so as not to forget anyone that may fill a need this week. If you are reading this blog in the comfort of an air conditioned building please send some cool thoughts our way!

Twin Cakes update Durham Farmers Market

2010-06-23T18:01:00.002-04:00

Here is an update from Twins related to their products and availablilty at the Durham Farmers Market over the next several weeks:

Your Allergy friendly bakery - we focus on gluten/wheat free, dairy free, egg free, peanut free, and more.

NEWS: Twin Cake Bakery will be at the two markets this weekend but after that plan to take a few weekends off. We will not be at the Carrboro or Durham markets on July 3rd and possibly July 10th. We might be back in time for the July 10th market but unsure at the moment. Please plan ahead for your orders this weekend. Thanks the twins J

Here is what we will have to sell this week at the Durham Farmers Market and the Carrboro Farmers Market.

Durham Wednesday Market:
Mint Brownies
Fudgy Brownies
Cinnamon Raisin Scone
Raw double layered cherry coconut bar with chocolate drizzle

Saturday Morning Markets menu:
Mint Brownies
Cardamom Brownies
Carrot cakes
Lemon blueberry scone
Cinnamon raisin scone
Lemon cherry scone
Orange Fig scone
Banana chocolate chip curry muffin
Cinnamon roll muffin (contains yeast)
Lemon raspberry bundt cake
And more

Here are some raw items that you might see at the markets:
Cheez cracker
Rosemary cracker
Herb cracker
Collard green onion cracker (contains onions)
*new item Spriulina swiss chard sunflower seed flatbread
Swiss chard black sesame chia flatbread (contains onions)
Boy choy sesame flatbread (contains onions)
Kale hempseed flatbread (contains onions)
Spirulina pumpkin seed flatbread
Chocolate chip cookie dough kreme cake bar
* new item Cherry double layered coconut with chocolate drizzle
Cardamom almond biscotti

www.twincakesbakery.com

Happy Tummy Pizza Crust

2010-06-18T22:28:00.001-04:00

Many people who follow a gluten free diet long for pizza crust that tastes like what they remember. Well if you have to limit other ingredients besides gluten it gets even more difficult to find a suitable product. I was recently contacted by Maria Hopper, owner of Happy Tummy Baking Company. This is a local baking company devoted to developing tasty products for people with multiple food sensitivities. Their first product is a 12 inch pizza crust that contain no gluten, yeast or any of the 8 major allergens. The pizza crust comes ready to top and bake as you like. The crust is now available at our local Durham Whole Foods in the freezer section. Zach, over at Gluten Free Raleigh, wrote a nice review of the product here. The Pizza crust is available at Whole Foods and Harmony Farms in Raleigh.

Rita's Italian Ice, Restaurant Review

2010-06-13T19:18:00.004-04:00

Looking for a cool summer treat? You will be happy to know that there are several Gluten Free offerings at Rita's Italian Ice. On a recent hot night my GF daughter and I ventured out for the little shop in southwest Durham. We chose Gelatis which are mixtures of their homemade Italian ice and soft serve frozen custard. I highly recommend the chocolate/berry flavor (yum!) The workers were helpful answering my questions about ingredients and showing me the custard carton mix so I could review the ingredients myself. I also received a prompt reply from corporate Rita's stating:

Rita’s has nutritional information available for our Guests on our website, www.ritasice.com. Please click the "Cool Treats" link on the top navigation pane and select "Nutritional Info" from the drop down menu, where you will find a link to an "Allergen Information" document.

Allergen information provided on our allergen chart is for the 8 major food groups that account for most food allergens as per the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004. Gluten is not considered to be among them, which is why it is not listed. allergen chart

Though we understand this is not inherent with all foods, for our purposes, anything we list with wheat content also includes gluten. Likewise, anything listed as not having any wheat content does not contain any gluten.

Therefore please refer to the “Wheat” category on our allergen chart to address your gluten concerns.

I have learned there are 500 Rita's in 18 states. I am glad to have one in Durham that clearly discloses their allergen information and offers great customer service!

Location:
Rita's
1125 W Nc Highway 54
Durham, NC 27707-5715
(919) 489-0888

Saigon Grill, Vietnamese Restaurant Review

2010-06-07T21:40:00.003-04:00

I had my first experience at Vietnamese dining and was surprised to learn that there were many naturally gluten free items to choose from. A friend invited me to join her for lunch at one of her favorite spots "one of the best kept secrets in Durham"; is how she actually described the Saigon Grill.
Traditional Vietnamese cooking is greatly admired for freshness of the ingredients and for the healthy eating style. This was evident with the abundant fresh herbs that accompanied my lunch.
The most common meats used in Vietnamese cuisine are pork, chicken, fish, and various kinds of seafood. Vietnamese also have a strong vegetarian tradition
and offer lots of rice and rice noodles.
Our server was very knowledgeable and understood my gluten free requests. One that she said they get often. While not everything on the menu is gluten free it is easy to find something tasty and gluten free from the nearly 100 items offered on their menu.

Saigon Grill
2929 N. Roxboro St.
Durham, NC 27704
919-220-5979

Tuesday-Sundays: 11AM-9PM
closed Mondays

Check out these other Gluten Free Blogs

2010-05-31T16:57:00.004-04:00

The May 2010 issue of Today's Dietitan included a feature article: "Gluten-Free Blogs Are Hot". Author, Sharon Palmer, RD reviewed 13 gluten free blogs, some include mostly recipes, and cooking, while others offer reliable, science based information on Celiac Disease. Possible additional interesting summer reading for the followers of this Gluten Free Durham Blog!

Celiac Chicks: http://celiacchicks.typepad.com/
Celiac Teen: http://www.celiacteen.com/
The Crispy Cook: http://wheat-free-meat-free.blogspot.com
Delightfully Gluten Free: http://delightfullyglutenfree.com
Gluten-Free Diet: http://glutenfreediet.ca/blog
Gluten-Free Dietitian: http://glutenfreedietitian.com
Gluten-Free Girl: http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com
Gluten-Free Goddess: http://glutenfreegoddess.blogspot.com
Gluten Free Blog: http://gluten-free-blog.blogspot.com
Gluten Free Gobsmacked: http://glutenfree.wordpress.com
Gluten Free Steve: http://glutenfreesteve.wordpress.com
Hold the Gluten: http://holdthegluten.net
Straight into Bed Cake-Free and Dried: http://milkforthemorningcake.blogspot.com

North Carolina Governor Declares May Celiac Disease Awareness Month

2010-04-30T08:09:00.003-04:00

Media Release

North Carolina Governor Declares May Celiac Disease Awareness Month

• Triangle residents can participate in a gluten-free food drive at various locations or make a monetary donation to help stock the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
• Bella Monica Italian Restaurant is hosting a six-course gluten-free dinner prepared by Vanessa Maltin, food and lifestyle editor for Delight Gluten-free Magazine
• A top food allergens poster is available for restaurants to download to educate their staff about these items, including gluten

Raleigh, N.C., USA, April 30, 2010 – The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog has announced Governor Beverly Perdue has declared May 2010 “Celiac Disease Awareness Month” in North Carolina. The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog and Pat Berger, leader of the North Raleigh Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) Support Group brought the petition to the Governor’s office regarding the awareness month.

Celiac Disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that affects one in 133 people in the United States. It interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food and can cause gastrointestinal and neurological issues, infertility, skin rashes and cancer. The only treatment for Celiac Disease is lifelong, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet.

“The Governor’s proclamation paves the way to further educate the community on Celiac Disease and helps to create a positive impact on the quality of life for people living with this condition,” said Zach Becker, creator of the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog. “It’s my goal to help raise awareness so those living with this disease can safely eat out at restaurants and have easier access to gluten-free food.”

In an effort to educate, raise awareness and give back to the community, there are a number of gluten-free events scheduled during the month of May.

• A gluten-free food drive will be held on Saturday, May 8 to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Special discounts at the drop off locations may be available in exchange for your donation. Bins are set up in each of these locations to accept the packaged gluten-free non-perishable food items:
o Rosie’s Plate – N. Person St., Raleigh
o Bella Monica Italian Restaurant – Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh
o ZPizza – Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh and Cornerstone Dr., Cary
o Mellow Mushroom – W. Peace St., Raleigh
o Whole Foods Market, Raleigh – Wade Ave., Raleigh
o Earth Fare – Moncreiffe Rd., Raleigh
o Harmony Farms/Café Harmony – Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh

• A virtual food drive will be held all month to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina with gluten-free food. The link to donate can be located on the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog.

• On Sunday, May 16, beginning at 5 p.m., Bella Monica Italian Restaurant will host a six-course gluten-free dinner prepared by Vanessa Maltin, food and lifestyle editor for Delight Gluten-free Magazine and Corbett Monica, head chef at Bella Monica Italian Restaurant. They will be preparing dishes from Maltin’s gluten-free cookbook entitled The Gloriously Gluten-Free Cookbook: Spicing Up Life with Italian, Asian and Mexican Recipes. Copies of the cookbook will also be included. Tickets are required for this dining event and can be purchased by calling Bella Monica Italian Restaurant at 919-881-9778.

• The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog worked with Sofia Noble of the design firm This Is Beautiful to create a poster featuring all of the top food allergens, including gluten. This poster is now available for download in English and Spanish at the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog. Wake County restaurant owners may use it to educate their staffs about these foods.

“Research indicates there are approximately three million people living with Celiac Disease in the United States and of those, only about 120,000 have been diagnosed,” said Alice Bast, founder and president of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA). “It’s great to see North Carolina working to raise awareness about this disease so perhaps others can be accurately diagnosed by their doctors. Zach Becker and the entire North Carolina Celiac Disease community should be commended for their leadership and successful advocacy efforts.”

About Gluten Free Raleigh Blog
Zach Becker was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in May 2008. He founded the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog in August 2008 and has created similar blogs across the state. He has recruited writers for these blogs so gluten-free information in those communities can be shared. The blogs contain restaurant and grocery store reviews, summaries of national news as well as highlight local companies that cater to the gluten-free community. Becker is an advocate for those living with Celiac Disease in the Triangle and donates his time to educate the newly diagnosed, local restaurants and government leaders on this condition.

Gluten Free Wine Dinner at Bella Monica

2010-04-28T10:31:00.005-04:00

The great thing about living gluten free in Durham is the easy access we have to other resources in the greater triangle area. I have just learned of a Gluten Free Wine Dinner being held at Bella Monica in Raleigh on Sunday May 16th at 5 pm. The event will feature guest chef and cookbook author, Vanessa Maltin and the $50.00 fee includes the dinner and a copy of the book The Gloriously Gluten Free Cookbook. Some of the menu items include: Bruschetta, Pesto Risotto, Chicken Fennel Lasagna, White Chocolate-Mango Cheesecake and more! For more information contact Bella Monica at 919-881-9778.

Finally: Gluten Free Pizza in Durham

2010-04-22T09:30:00.002-04:00

As written in earlier posts the Durham Mellow Mushroom has launched their gluten free pizza about a week ago. My family finally had the opportunity to visit the Mellow Mushroom in the American Tobacco District for lunch the other day. How awesome it was for those of us that must follow a GF diet to order pizza along with the non-GF folks in our family! Zach, at GF Raleigh did an extensive post when the Pizza made it to the Raleigh market read here for lots of great details! We enjoyed our pizza. It was thin crust and plenty to serve two people with 2 left over slices (6 slices in all). The flavor was very good. The crust was also good but I would have personally liked the crust a little more crisp. Overall I would recommend trying the pizza. I just want to give a shout out to all those Durhamites that we finally do have a place to go to order gluten free pizza and post a few pictures for your review.

Equipping Dietitians to Serve the Gluten Free Client

2010-04-20T20:40:00.004-04:00

I had the opportunity today of speaking at the 77th Annual Meeting and Expo of the North Carolina Dietetic Association (NCDA). This was a 2 1/2 day event that brought 300 dietitians, students and vendors together to share products and evidence based nutrition information with one another. It was encouraging to see an enthusiastic attendance at the break out session "Navigating the Gluten Free Diet with Confidence: Equipping Dietitians to Serve the Gluten Free Client". There were dietitians present from across the state of North Carolina in variety of positions including, clinical hospital settings, school lunch, private practice, and university professors, to name a few.

I would like to say a special thank you to Rosie's Plate for sponsoring my talk at NCDA and for exhibiting information at the conference. I would also like to thank Zach, from GF Raleigh for conducting his informal poll of people's interactions with dietitians in respect to the gluten free diet. These results were shared during my talk.

I am encouraged by the interest in this area and by the availability of gluten free foods in an increasing number of settings.

Gluten Free Meals for a Week at Rosie's Plate

2010-04-17T16:45:00.002-04:00

Need some menu ideas? Help organizing your meals for the week? Then you may be interested in registering for the following class at Rosie's Plate in Raleigh:

Gluten Free Meals
For A Week
Thursday, April 22 7-8:30 pm $50

Gather the inside scoop on preparing a week's worth of healthy meals in one day at this fun class. You'll learn how to plan, cook and store these meals that everyone can enjoy!
Reserve Your Seat
833-0505

Rosie's Plate
701 N. Person Street
Raleigh, NC 27604
919.833.0505
www.RosiesPlate.com

Local Resources Twins at the Durham Farmers Market

2010-04-16T06:47:00.006-04:00

Just a reminder that Twin Cakes Bakery will be at the Durham Farmers Market on Saturday and every Saturday. Come out and buy a gluten free goodie and let them know we appreciate the efforts to come to Durham! This Weeks menu includes:

Markets menu:

Carrot cake mini bundt cakes

Coconut lime bundt cakes

Lemon lavender scone

Ginger Pear scone

Orange cranberry scone

Cinnamon blueberry coffee cake

Cinnamon baked donuts

Chocolate Chip Cookie Sandwiches (mint,vanilla, and coconut lime filled)

And more

Gluten Free Challenge

2010-04-14T08:37:00.002-04:00

The Gluten Intolerance Group and Pamela's Products are teaming up together to sponsor the Gluten Free Challenge. You can get more information and sign up to receive a recipe of the day and tip of the day at Go GF Challenge. The event kicks off April 21st with a weekend challenge to non GF folks to join us on the weekend of May 22 to experience the joy and challenge of eating gluten free! The month long event is in honor of Gluten Free Awareness Month in May. In addition to recipes and tips there will also be various prize drawings.

Duke Diabetes Day-April 24,2010

2010-04-07T08:22:00.003-04:00

The risk of Celiac Disease is increased in those who have Diabetes. Following a gluten free diabetic diet can be very challenging and extremely important in obtaining optimum health. On April 24, 2010 Duke Diabetes Day will be held at Sherwood Githens Middle School. This is FREE fun filled day geared toward children, young adults and their families who have diabetes. Medical providers are also welcome and CEUs have been applied for. The event runs from 9:30-3:15. Of particular interest to those with Diabetes and Celiac Disease are a few specific topics: Celiac Disease and Diabetes and Gluten Free Diet and Celiac Disease. There is also an option of ordering a gluten free lunch! Prize drawings are planned and ongoing events include: ask the doctor, ask the dietitian, field day, diabetes games, emergency situations, and much more To see the complete itinerary of events click here.
To Register for this event call 919-681-6063 or email peddiabetes@mc.duke.edu. Include name number of attendees, and if you need a gluten free lunch or vegetarian lunch.

Gluten Free Pizza arrives at Durham's Mellow Mushroom

2010-04-05T08:00:00.002-04:00

After several weeks of waiting it is true Durham now has gluten free pizza! I first started writing about this back in January. Zach called attention to the breaking news last week in his gluten free Raleigh blog. The company website confirms that Durham, Raleigh and Burlington are the North Carolina test market sites for Mellow Mushroom's new gluten free pizza. And the launch date is Monday April 5th. I know where we are going for dinner!

Note: When I called Mellow Mushroom Saturday evening, the person I spoke with did not seem to know anything about the gluten free pizza option??? You may want to give a call before showing up to order your GF pizza. I will update information as it becomes available.

UPDATE as of Monday April 5th 4:30pm
I did receive an email confirmation from Jason Kemp with marketing at Mellow Mushroom that the GF pizza would be available today. However after speaking with a manager in Durham this afternoon she has stated that the GF pizza will be available to order in a week on MONDAY, APRIL 12; and she also noted they have gluten free beer too!

Mellow Mushroom
410 Blackwell Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 680-8500

Twin Cakes Comes to The Durham Farmers Market

2010-04-01T06:37:00.004-04:00

This Saturday Twin Cakes Bakery will debut at the Durham Farmers Market. I can attest to the quality of their gluten free products! They will be at the market from 8:00-12:00 and the following items will be available:

Markets menu:
Carrot cake mini bundt cakes
Lemon Poppy seed bundt cakes
Lemon Blueberry scone
Strawberry Banana coffee cake
Baked chocolate glazed donuts
Mint Chocolate cupcakes
Pizza Crust
*new item - Pizza Rolls
*Frozen Pretzels

** Easter Special: If you spend over $25 you will receive a bag full of Easter Sugar cookies (only while supplies last)

Dry Mixes that will be available this week:
Pancakes
Brownie
Raw Cheez Cracker
Raw Pumpkin Kale Cracker

The weather forcast is great for the weekend! I am headed to the Farmers Market to welcome Twin Cakes Bakery and to stock up on some Easter goodies.

Passover and Gluten Free Products

2010-03-31T07:50:00.003-04:00

Passover began at sunset Tuesday March 29 and extends through Monday April 5th. Dietary restrictions include refraining from "Chametz" all edible fermented grain products to include leavened grains. While not all "Passover foods" are gluten free many are and can be easily found in the grocery store. The Gluten Intolerance Group features a very good article by Cheryl Harris, MPH, RD, LD entitled:"Passover Great GF selection". You can also go to the Manishewitz site for a complete listing of their gluten free products.
Tip: Many of these items may go on sale after Passover and this would be a good way to stock your gluten free pantry!

Restaurant Eden, Restaurant Review

2010-03-26T17:10:00.002-04:00

I have enjoyed both lunch and dinner at Restaurant Eden. The restaurant describes itself as having a "refreshing, healthy and simple approach to familiar American cuisine." The website describes their philosophy further:

What sets Eden apart is our support of local small businesses and farmers as we proudly serve locally farmed produce from our State Farmers Market. Our menu will evolve with the seasons to capture the very highest quality ingredients just when they reach their peak.

This is sticking with one of themes for March's National Nutrition Month of "eating from the ground up". Eden does not offer a specific gluten free menu but catered to my specific needs. At dinner the wait staff asked several questions of the chef and we were able to mutually agree on a steak dinner. I had a great experience at lunch (note this was a slower time and easier for the wait staff to spend extra time with me). I was given a copy of their lunch menu with selected items circled that were gluten free and others crossed through so I knew they contained gluten. I enjoyed the Eden Salad with Salmon which was very good.
As a side note, I would encourage you to check out restaurant.com. This is a great site that offers coupons to various local restaurants and Eden was featured in the Durham zip code area.

Restaurant Eden
3211 Shannon Road
Durham,NC 27707
www.restaurantedendurham.com

Hours:
Monday 11:00AM-2:00PM Lunch Only

Tuesday 11:00AM-9:00PM

Wednesday 11:00AM-9:00PM

Thursday 11:00AM-9:00PM

Friday 11:00AM-10:00PM

Saturday 4:00PM-10:00PM Dinner Only

Sunday Brunch 11:00AM-2:00PM Brunch Only

Donate Gluten Free Food at the NCSSM Food Drive-Saturday March 20,2010

2010-03-20T12:48:00.003-04:00

The North Carolina School of Science and Math will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for a 24 hour food drive by a non-charitable organization in a single location on Saturday, March 20th. The School will be accepting donations from 7:00am-10:00pm. It is very difficult to find gluten free food options at food banks this would be a great way to help stock some of the shelves with non perishable gluten free foods!
According to the Food Drive Website the schedule is as follows;

NCSSM World Record Food Drive
Saturday, March 20, 2010
7 a.m. – 10 p.m.1219 Broad Street / Durham, NC / 27705
Stay tuned throughout the day for Food Drive updates:
twitter.com/NCSSMFoodDrive
facebook.com/NCSSMFoodDrive
www.ncssm.edu/fooddrive
Questions? Call the NCSSM Food Drive hotline 919-416-2963
Due to limited parking availability on the NCSSM campus, if you choose to stay for any events,
we ask that you please park in the surrounding neighborhood.
Thank you!

Schedule of Events
7:00 a.m.
Food Drive begins!

9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Food Drive T-Shirts Available for $10*
*$5 will go directly to purchasing additional food for the drive
Raffle Tent
Bryan Lawn

11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Meet & Greet: Miss N.C. Teen USA 2010 and Mrs. America 2009
Raffle Tent
Bryan Lawn

11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. Meet & Greet: “Biggest Loser” Contestant Antoine Dove ’04
Raffle Tent
Bryan Lawn

1:30 p.m. “Biggest Loser” Journey: Antoine Dove ’04
Raffle Tent
Bryan Lawn

5:00 – 9:00 p.m. RAFFLE DRAWINGS (See separate schedule)
Raffle Tent
Bryan Lawn

7:00 p.m. NCSSM Asia Fest
General Assembly Hall
John Friedrick Educational Technology Complex (ETC)

10:00 p.m. Food Drive ends
T.B.A. Meet & Greet: Wool E. Bull

Gluten Free Product Recall,Gluten Free Naturals Mixes

2010-03-17T06:23:00.004-04:00

GLUTEN FREE NATURALS MIXES HAVE RECALLED SOME OF THEIR PRODUCTS DUE TO POSSIBLE SALMONELLA CONTAMINATIONL The following information is from the FDA website:

GFN Foods, LLC Voluntarily Recalls Gluten-Free Naturals Pancake Mix, Gluten-Free Naturals Light & Moist Yellow Cake Mix and Gluten-Free Naturals Cookie Blend Flour
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 11, 2010 - GFN Foods, LLC of Cranford, NJ is voluntarily recalling:

Gluten-Free Naturals Pancake Mix – UPC 187058 000043
Lots 09159 (exp 12/8/2010), 09320 (exp 5/16/12) 09322 (exp 5/18/12)
Gluten-Free Naturals Light & Moist Yellow Cake Mix – UPC 187058 000067
Lots 09083 (exp 9/24/10) and 09322 (exp 5/18/12)
Gluten-Free Naturals Cookie Blend Flour – UPC 187058 000029
Lots 09086 (exp 6/24/10), 09219 (exp 11/7/10) and 10035 (exp 5/4/11)

These products, manufactured by GFN Foods, are being recalled because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The FDA and Thumb Oilseed Producers Cooperative of Ubly, MI found traces of salmonella in Thumb Oilseed's facility. GFN Foods, LLC is voluntarily recalling the products that contain the ingredient supplied by Thumb Oilseed.

Salmonella is an organism which can cause serious and in some cases fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which can be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with salmonella can result into getting into the bloodstream and producing more severe illnesses such as arterial infections, endocarditis and arthritis.

The safety of our products is of paramount importance to GFN Foods. Customers that have purchased the above products should contact GFN Foods at 866-761-6147 for a refund or to arrange for replacement product. You can also email sales@gfnfoods.com or call with any questions.

Note: The GFN website does not list any retail options for these mixes in North Carolina, however they are also a mail order product through the Celiac Shack and through GFN's own on line store.

PF Chang's Boasts 28 Gluten Free Offerings

2010-03-09T07:02:00.004-05:00

PF Chang's continues to increase it's gluten free offerings! I received this information via email and wanted to pass it along to the Gluten Free Durham readers. PF Chang's has increased it's gluten free offering to include 5 new gluten free beef dishes: GF Mongolian beef, GF Hong Kong beef with snow peas, GF beef a la sichuan, GF pepper steak, GF beef with broccoli. You can review the entire gluten free menu here. I have reviewed my dining experience at PF Chang's in a previous post.

The Durham Location is at:
6801 Fayetteville Rd (across from South Point Mall)
Durham,NC
919-294-3131

Refectory Cafe' at Duke University, Restaurant Review

2010-03-06T08:55:00.008-05:00

As I mentioned in my previous blog March is National Nutrition Month. The American Dietetic Association has picked the theme for this year to be "Nutrition From The Ground Up" Two points of this message include choosing locally grown produce and limiting trans fats in the diet. The Refectory Cafe' at Duke University encompasses both of these ideas.
I recently enjoyed lunch at The Refectory Cafe',located near the Duke Chapel in the Divinity School. This popular breakfast and lunch spot is a "Green Cafe'" which features: local products, organic ingredients using recycled material and follows sustainable practices. The Cafe' has a casual, welcoming atmosphere. You are able to view your food options at the time of ordering, and I was happy to see clearly marked ingredient listings and gluten free offerings! Their website explains that:

The Refectory Cafe is proud to serve all foods free of transfats and in styrofoam-free containers.
Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free & Low Carb menu items available daily.

I chose a light lunch of vegetarian gluten free chili and corn chips which were very good. You can sign up to receive a weekly email of the menu and specials at www.therefectorycafe.com
The Refectory Cafe' has two locations on Duke's campus one at the Divinity School and the other located at the Law School. It is great to see Duke University offering so many gluten free offerings for students, faculty, staff and visitors. I have already written about the other options at The Great Hall and Trinity Cafe'.

The Refectory Cafe' at Duke Law School Hours:
8-6:30 M,T,Th
8-2:30 W&F

The Refectory Cafe' at Duke Divinity School Hours:
8-2:30 M-F
11-3:00 Sunday Brunch
Driving Directions:
15-501 to Cameron Blvd - Head towards Washington Duke Inn. At the light is the entrance to Duke's West Campus - Science Drive on the Left. Turn Left - approximately 1/2 mile ahead on the right is the Bryan Center Parking Deck.
On foot, outside the parking deck head towards Duke Chapel follow the path to the Left. The Divinity School is immediately to the Left. Enter the first set of doors (adjacent to the Pentecost Stained Glass Window). Go down 1 flight of stairs - The Refectory is on your right.

Low Sodium Options for a Gluten Free Diet

2010-03-01T01:00:00.001-05:00

Do you know how much sodium is in your gluten free diet? I have found that we sometimes focus so hard on the "gluten free" aspect of our diet that we can forget the other components that contribute to healthy eating. March is National Nutrition Month and I hope to have several posts this month focused on nutrition as it relates to the gluten free diet. The current dietary guidelines recommend individuals consume less than 2300mg of sodium per day. These guidelines are revised every 5 years, so 2010 will offer some updated guidelines. The American Heart Association is now recommending that individuals consume no more that 1500 mg of sodium per day. Note one teaspoon of salt contains 2400mg of sodium! Just 14 tortilla corn chips provide 150 mg of sodium to one's diet. Sodium is added to many processed foods, soups, frozen meals, and deli meats. One of the most significant sources of sodium is the salt shaker.The Chicago Tribune published a timely article on what some food companies are doing to limit excess sodium in foods. Read the article here. Reducing sodium intake can lead to improved blood pressure, decrease fluid retention and decrease risk for heart disease.

Durham offers a valuable resource to those looking to buy low sodium foods. The Rice Diet Program, the famous weight loss center located on Cole Mill Road includes the Rice Diet Store. This store is open to the public weekdays from 8-12. Ira Green is the gentleman that manages the store and is very helpful in answering questions. I recently attended a panel discussion on obesity at the Rice House and was able to take a peek in the store. I was surprised to see many gluten free offerings at a reasonable price. The store's website is very well designed and it lets one click on the food item and review the ingredient list. A few of the gluten free items available include: Quinoa pasta shells for $3.25, and Notta Pasta Linguine for $4.25. To go to the Rice Store and review products click here.Do realize that the store's main focus is low sodium and not all products will be gluten free.

The Rice Diet Store
1644 Cole Mill Road
Durham,NC 27705
www.ricedietstore.com
919-383-7276 ext 2

Gluten Free Week at Camp Kanata

2010-02-17T07:06:00.002-05:00

No TV, Video Games or worries about what to eat......Camp Kanata is gearing up for GLUTEN FREE WEEK! Camp Kanata is a residential camp for campers ages 6-15 located near Wake Forest, NC. During the week of June 27-July 3, 2010 the camp along with the Gluten Intolerance Group offers a gluten free menu option for campers. What does that mean? Well, a parent can send their child to camp without sending extra food or worrying about explaining special dietary restrictions. It also means that your child can take non-GF friends along because this camp is not limited to just kids with "special food needs". It means that gluten free foods are kid friendly and taste great. Volunteers duplicate the camp's cycle menu and prepare the GF option in a separate cooking area. The campers all eat together, the gluten free kids just go through a different serving line. An example menu from a day at camp includes:

Breakfast: French Toast Sticks, Bacon, Baked Apples,Fresh Fruit,Juice and Milk
Lunch: Beef Patty w/Cheese on Bun, Crinkle Fries and Watermelon
Dinner: BBQ Chicken,Hush Puppies,Green Beans, Parsley Potatoes, Applesauce and Banana Pudding

Afternoon snacks are handed out at the Snack Shack where kids have enjoyed gluten free ice cream cones! Camp Kanata Ia a popular YMCA camp and registration generally fills quickly. We are unable to save designated gluten free spots so if you are considering going to camp we advise registering by the end of February. Note need based scholarships are available through the Gluten Intolerance Group. In addition Camp Kanata is also offering a special with registration before March 1:

We want to make sure your child has an opportunity to enjoy Camp Kanata this summer. We’re accepting applications now, and we’re holding a drawing for a $200 Visa gift card on March 1. Everyone who has registered for Summer 2010 overnight camp at Kanata will be eligible for the drawing.

If you have not already registered, this is a great time to mail, fax or drop off your application. Please write “Registration Giveaway” at the top of the first page. We’re looking forward to camp, and we hope to see you here!

This will be my fourth year with the camp as the volunteer Registered Dietitian. I am happy to answer any questions you may have about the camp experience. Think all this sounds like fun? If you like to cook and see smiling faces consider volunteering with us. You can contact me at debbie.jongkind@gmail.com. You may also contact our amazing camp coordinator Alanna Conder at Conderaac@yahoo.com. See my previous posts on Camp Kanata here.

UPDATE: Gluten Free Pizza at Mellow Mushroom

2010-02-14T20:48:00.002-05:00

I have posted a few blogs concerning gluten free pizza coming to the Mellow Mushroom in Durham. I received an update from marketing this week which stated:

As of right now, we have decided to have a certified GF bakery produce the GF dough for us.

According to this communication it seems the company was originally considering producing the gluten free pizza crust on their own, but have now decided it would be best to contract with a gluten free bakery to produce the crusts. Negotiations are underway and I am told gluten free pizza will be available in Durham in the near future.......I will keep you posted!

FYI: Resource for Gluten Free Toddlers

2010-02-11T19:44:00.003-05:00

A Durham resident and follower of the GFD blog asked me to share the information pertaining to her blog. Jessie is a mom with a GF toddler, who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease around the age of one. She is sharing helpful tips for toddlers on her blog entitled Gluten Free Toddler. The following descibes the posts from her blog:

Ramblings from a full time working mom struggling to find easy to make and ready made food that is gluten free and healthy for her toddler with Celiac Disease

Jessie, thanks for taking your time to share tips with others!

Guglhupf, Restaurant Review

2010-02-06T20:05:00.002-05:00

I recently met friends at Guglhupf for lunch. Guglupf in Durham is known for it's wonderful baked goods (NOT GLUTEN FREE), so I was wondering what type of dining experience I would encounter....The Cafe' offers a casual dining atmosphere with tables outside and two floors of seating inside. There must be great internet access, as I observed several folks working on computers. According to their website they:

feature ethnically inspired foods emphasizing the use of local
and seasonal ingredients and estate grown wines from small vineyards in our welcoming café space

Orders are taken at a main counter and then delivered to your table when ready. I was able to ask questions to the chef as well as the person taking my order, both were very helpful. I learned the soups are made completely from scratch and change daily. I settled on a lentil soup that was made with GF ingredients. I also had a nice green salad with balsamic vinaigrette. The lunch menu offers 6 salads, frittatas and a smoked salmon that all appear to be free of gluten. I visited the bakery section on our way out and discovered a "cookie" make of almond meal and no flour, it looked tempting but had a very high risk of cross contamination, so I passed. Guglhupf serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.

Cafe Hours:
Monday: closed
Tues-Thurs: 8:00am-9:30pm
Fri-Sat: 8:00am-10:00pm
Sun: 9:00am-3:00pm

Phone: 919-401-2600
2706 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd
Durham, NC 27707

Sandwich Petals, Interesting New Product

2010-02-01T19:50:00.004-05:00

I have recently tried a new product that I thought was pretty good so I wanted to pass this review onto the Gluten Free Durham reader. Since going gluten free I rarely eat sandwiches. The bread is often so dense and high in calories and carbohydrates that I opt to skip the bread. Well, the Sandwich Petal may be my answer to a palatable wrap like sandwich. I ordered this product after reading about it on the web. It is described as a "gluten free athletic flatbread". Available in three varieties: spinach garlic pesto, chimayo red chile and agave grain and only 90 calories,and 21 g carbs per wrap. The wraps are made of 10 different grains including: corn,flax, sesame, buckwheat, brown rice, sorghum, millet, quinoa,teff and amaranth and offer 3 grams of dietary fiber per serving. The wraps are also free of dairy, egg, peanut, tree nut shell fish, and soy.Products are lab tested by the American Institute of Baking to be Gluten Free testing at less than 20 PPM. The wraps are a nice size and after warming for 30 seconds in the microwave roll nicely without breaking! The product can be stored at room temperature for 30 days, so no fuss with needing to defrost something before preparing your meal. The company has been offering a discount on Mondays: BUY ONE GET ONE FREE for further information click here.

Rosie's Plate Expands Offerings on Duke East Campus

2010-02-01T09:13:00.003-05:00

I just received an email from Rosie's Plate that they are now offering gluten free food options at Trinity Cafe' which is located in the West Union Building across from the Bryan Center. As a reminder Rosie's Plate is already available on East Campus with selections at the Great Hall. Rosie's also makes it convenient for folks to order from there store in Raleigh with a weekly delivery to Duke Gardens on Tuesday afternoons from 4:00-6:00 pm. Remember to place your orders by Monday evening. See Rosie's website for menus, pricing and order information.

Gluten Free Shopping at Wal-Mart

2010-01-27T19:39:00.004-05:00

A client of mine had informed me that the Wal-Mart Super Center in Hillsbourgh offered several gluten free options. I decided to travel down the road from Durham on Hwy 85 to visit the Super Wal-Mart for my weekly shopping. I was pleased to see about half an aisle dedicated to gluten free items. Items were well marked and they carried many staple brands. I even found some of the Dr. Schar rolls available and quickly grabbed the last two packages. Unfortunately as I was waiting in line I noticed that the rolls were molding, the expiration date was not until April 2010 IF FROZEN, which these were not frozen thus had a shorter shelf life. Always check gluten free breads that are not in the freezer section, because many tend to mold quickly. Other than the rolls, I was very happy to stock up on some of our favorite products and will plan to shop there again. It is great to see such a mainstream store carry so many gluten free options.

501 Hampton Pointe Boulevard,
Hillsborough, NC 27278
http://www.walmart.com
(919) 732-9172

Piedmont, Restaurant Review

2010-01-25T10:08:00.003-05:00

I had the pleasure of eating dinner at Piedmont Restaurant this past Saturday evening.The restaurant offers Italian/French cuisine in an eclectic atmosphere. Piedmont is located in downtown Durham on Foster Street, very near the Durham Farmer's Market. The restaurant menu is designed around fresh, local ingredients and changes often. Everything is made from scratch, which is a plus when trying to order gluten free. I found them exceptionally accommodating to my gluten free needs. Our server, after discussing the menu with the chef, was able to alert me to several gluten free options on their menu. We started our meal with a few of their cheese offerings. I was impressed to see that they even separated the cheese and bread onto two different plates because of my gluten concerns. Our server said that they often have requests for gluten free meals, so they were familiar with the dietary restrictions. The main entree was delicious; I enjoyed risotto with butternut squash, apples, walnuts and goat cheese. To my delight they also offered a gluten free flourless chocolate cake for dessert. Of course since it was available I was compelled to order dessert! My husband and I shared the generous sized, warm piece of flourless chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream. We both thought it was fantastic and note my husband is not gluten free. The restaurant was quite busy, with a party downstairs and individual dining upstairs. Our service was very good in spite of how busy they were Saturday evening. Reservations are recommended. I will definitely plan to dine at Piedmont again in the future.

Piedmont Restaurant
401 Foster Street
Durham, North Carolina
919.683.1213
info@piedmontrestaurant.com

Restaurant Hours
Dinner Wed. - Mon. 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.*
Lunch Mon., Wed. - Fri. 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Brunch Sat. & Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Closed Tuesdays
*Bar open until midnight on Fridays & Saturdays. Restaurant closes at 9pm on Sundays.

FYI: information of interest

2010-01-20T15:01:00.003-05:00

Pick up a copy of the Durham-Herald Sun, Wednesday, January 20th edition and read the article "Nutritional Niche" on the front page of section D. This article features Custom Choice Cereal. This new company which is located in Durham lets the consumer order their own custom cereal blend of gluten free grains, fruits, etc.

We are always looking for that delicious piece of gluten free bread.
Although I have not tried it myself, I have been hearing about the good quality of Udi's Bread. I was contacted about this product by a reader of the GFD blog, Rebecca. Rebecca lives in Raleigh and is interested in placing a large group bread order and asked that I share this information with my readers. If you would like further information on this ordering opportunity click here.

Gluten Free Treats At Starbucks

2010-01-19T17:15:00.005-05:00

Starbucks' newsroom announced in early January the addition of snack items under 220 calories including two gluten free options KIND bars and LUCY's COOKIES. I met a friend for coffee at the Guess Road Starbucks yesterday and was happy to find a nice display of the snacks right in front of the store! My server said that the cookies had just been in the store a few days. Lucy's cookies were created by an M.D./mother who has a child with severe allergies. I have seen the cookies locally at Whole Foods in Durham. At Starbucks they sell for $1.50 for a package of four cookies. The cookies are milk, casein, egg, peanut, tree nut and gluten free. They are also free of trans fat. The cookies do contain certified gluten free oats. Flavors include: oatmeal, cinnamon thin, sugar and chocolate chip. Oh I almost forgot, they taste really good. I appreciate Starbucks continued effort to offer some gluten free options for their customers.

More Gluten Free Learning Opportunities

2010-01-18T09:05:00.003-05:00

January has started off with multiple learning opportunities for those desiring information about the gluten free lifestyle.

1. Celiac Disease: New Diet Options 1/19/2010 presented by Registered Dietitian, Leslie Stanford at the Teer House in Durham. Read details from my earlier post.

2. Gluten Free 101 at Rosie's Plate on 1/23/2010 presented by Zach at Gluten Free Raleigh. Class Description from Rosie's Website includes:

Gluten Free 101 Class
Saturday, January 23, 1 - 3:30 $35
If you've just been diagnosed with celiac or wheat allergies this class is for you. Learn firsthand from someone who's been there. Taught by Zach Becker from the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog, you'll learn how to easily segue into a gluten free lifestyle.
We'll cover practical topics including:

* How to transition your kitchen into a safe gluten free kitchen
* What every gluten free person needs in their pantry
* How to read labels & find hidden ingredients
* Tips on how to eat away from home
* What to watch for with personal care products & medications

We'll also discuss the many resources available including

* GF friendly grocery stores & restaurants
* GF knowledgeable Dieticians
* GF Support Groups
* GF Cookbooks & Magazines

This is a wonderful introduction to living successfully, and happily, without gluten!

3. Gluten Free Cooking Seminar 1/25/2010 presented by Lee Tobin at UNC Wellness Center. A description of the Supper in a Snap Series includes:

Chef and baker Lee Tobin will be presenting Gluten Free Italiano! Lee Tobin has worked as a chef and baker for several hotels and restaurants in Pennsylvania, California, and Canada. Lee moved to Chapel Hill, NC in 1993 where he worked for Whole Foods Market in the bakery and prepared foods departments. After a diagnosis with celiac disease in 1996, Lee began an in store gluten-free baking program to serve the growing number of customers on a gluten-free diet. In 2004 he founded the Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Bakehouse in Morrisville, NC, which provides over 30 products to Whole Foods Market stores across the US and Canada. Lee has spoken and given cooking and baking demonstrations at several regional and national gluten free conferences and events sponsored by the Gluten Intolerance Group, Celiac Sprue association, Gluten Free Expo, Gluten Free Culinary Summit, and Whole Foods Market stores across US.

Lee’s Menu

Grilled polenta appetizer

Herb Focaccia

Caesar salad

Hand made ravioli

Chicken and eggplant parmesan

Tiramisu

Gluten Free Pizza at Mellow Mushroom: UPDATE

2010-01-15T09:28:00.003-05:00

I was contacted yesterday by the folks at Mellow Mushroom concerning updated information on the gluten free pizza crust that I mentioned in my previous post. According to the email I received: The gluten free pizza WILL NOT be available on January 19th as they are still working on some issues with this offering. Further information from this email contact explains:

Within the past three months, this initiative has
moved from a purely theoretical standpoint to a point where we have
researched and developed a pretty decent GF dough. The Mellow Mushroom in
Durham will eventually be part of a gluten free test program in the near future.

So it looks like those of us longing for a gluten free pizza offering in Durham will need to wait a bit longer. Of course it is worth the wait if the final pizza crust is a high quality product and Mellow Mushroom adopts good manufacturing practices on site to reduce the risk of cross contamination at the point of service. The marketing folks at Mellow Mushroom have promised to keep me informed on their progress and when we can expect to see Durham as a test site. I will post this information on the gluten free Durham blog as I receive it.

Gluten Free Pizza Comes To Durham!

2010-01-12T15:11:00.004-05:00

I have been wondering why there is not a good gluten free pizza place in Durham. I even sometimes wish I was closer to Raleigh to take advantage of all those places that Zach at gluten free Raleigh has blogged about. After reading the recent posts from Zach and from Tiffany Janes about Mellow Mushroom going GF in Raleigh, I decided to call the Durham location. I spoke with their general manager, Andy, who informed me that YES Durham, along with Raleigh and Wake Forest are the test markets for the GF pizza crust!! Andy explained this is a brand new roll out for the company and that corporate would be bringing some GF crusts to Durham on January 19th. He said this would be a "soft roll out" and after that the store would be able to start ordering crusts for use at the Durham location. The crusts will arrive to the store already pre-formed and frozen. I asked Andy several questions and also explained the importance of training their chefs and wait staff to avoid cross contamination of the gluten free crust. Andy was very interested in the information I had to share about the needs of those with gluten intolerance. In addition to the GF Pizza the Durham Mellow Mushroom hopes to start offering some gluten free beer to go along with that pizza! I know those of us who live, work and eat Gluten Free in Durham will be excited to have a great place to order GF Pizza. I encourage you to be patient, kind and ask those GF questions of your server in a way that will help educate the staff at Mellow Mushroom. Also if you go and have a good experience take the time to say thanks to Andy and the folks at Mellow Mushroom. Mellow Mushroom is located in the American Tobacco District of Durham:

410 Blackwell Street
Durham, NC 27701
(919) 680-8500

Reminder: Teer House Community Education Presents: CELIAC DISEASE-NEW DIET OPTIONS

2010-01-05T17:09:00.000-05:00

Just a quick reminder as you prepare your new January 2010 calendars. Sign up for the free nutrition seminar at the Teer House in Durham, presented by Lesley Stanford, MS,RD. The seminar is titled "Celiac Disease: New Diet Options" and is Tuesday, January 19th 6:30-8:00. You may get directions and register here. If you would like further details review my earlier post.

10 New Year's Resolutions to Improve Your Gluten Free Lifestyle

2009-12-31T16:55:00.005-05:00

1.EAT BREAKFAST: It's still considered the most important meal of the day. There are plenty of gluten free options for breakfast including: eggs, gluten free oats, gluten free cereal,Greek yogurt and fruit, or gluten free meal replacement bars. You can even try a peanut butter and jelly on gluten free waffles.
2.CHOOSE AT LEAST 5 SERVINGS OF FRUITS AND VEGETABLES A DAY: These are naturally gluten free and provide,fiber,vitamins and minerals to your diet.
3 EVALUATE THE FIBER CONTENT OF YOUR DIET: The goal for most adults is 25g/day. Make sure to increase your fluids as you increase your fiber!
4.CHOOSE WHOLE GRAINS: At least half of your grain sources should be whole grains. Gluten Free Whole Grains include: popcorn, quinoa, buckwheat,amaranth, millet, montina, brown rice, wild rice, sorghum, and teff.
5.EVALUATE THE FAT CONTENT OF YOUR DIET: Current recommendations suggests avoiding Trans Fats, and limiting total fat intake to 25-30% of your total caloric intake. Saturated fats should be limited to 7-10% of total calories. Translated for someone who consumes around 2000 calories per day that would give them a total fat goal of 56-67 g total fat per day and 16 to 22 g of saturated fat per day.
6.EVALUATE DIET FOR ADEQUATE CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D: The RDI for most adults is 1000mg of Calcium per day. 8 0z. of low fat milk provides 290mg of Calcium. If you follow a dairy free diet, include the following to boost your calcium intake: sesame seeds, spinach, broccoli,kale, collard greens and sardines. You may also like to include calcium fortified orange juice. If your diet is lacking, it is important to consider supplementation.
7.MANAGE YOUR WEIGHT, KNOW YOUR BMI (body mass index)Normal Weight Range is 18.5-24.9. Go to the NIH BMI Calculator to figure your BMI.
8.LIMIT EXCESS REFINED SUGARS: The American Heart Association issued a statement in August 2009 recommending women limit their extra sugars to 6 teaspoons/per day and men to 9 teaspoons/per day. Note a regular 12 oz soda contains about 10 teaspoons!
9. CHOOSE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DAILY: Invest in a pedometer which will track your steps, aim for 10,000 steps per day which is 5 miles.
10.SMILE: A positive attitude and outlook contributes to a healthy lifestyle!

Rosie's Plate Holiday Tasting and January Classes

2009-12-17T07:41:00.003-05:00

If you are out looking at Christmas lights or holiday shopping tomorrow night you may want to stop by Rosie's Plate in Raleigh for their free Holiday Tasting Party:

Rosie's December
Holiday Tasting !
Tomorrow, December 18th
5~7 p.m.
Serving Lots Of Sensational Seasonal Samples...
Hope you can make it!

Rosie's is also offering several January classes that sound helpful and interesting to those following a gluten free diet:

Rosie's Classes...
Begin The New Year With
Health and Wellness!
_______________________________________________

Rosie's GF, Egg and Dairy Free Baking Class
Presented by Emily Ellis, Rosie's Executive Chef
A 2-Part Series $70
Part I: Informational Class
Meet in our studio to learn the basics
of baking gluten, egg and dairy free.
Sat., Jan. 9th 2~3:30 p.m.

Part II: In The Kitchen
Join Emily in our kitchen
to get the hands-on experience you've been waiting for!
Sat., Jan. 23rd 2 ~ 3:30 p.m.
We'll start by discussing how alternative flours work and how to make substitutions. You'll also learn about important stabilizers and natural sugars used in GF baking. Get an up-close demonstration of how to make
your own tasty GF, egg and dairy free baked goods.
And, of course there will be lots of samples to take home!
Only 6 people per class so everyone gets a front row seat!
_________________________________________________________________________

"Healthy Eating and Supplementation For The New Year" Workshop
Presented by Dr. Jennifer Kaumeyer, Naturopathic Physician
Saturday, Jan. 16th 10~12:30 p.m. $35
You don't have to settle for a decreased quality of life. Come learn how to change your habits so that you feel great in the new year!
You'll come away with helpful dietary advice, the low down on food additives,
the ins and outs of supplementation.
Plus... an introduction to Dr. Kaumeyer's
individualized 12 week weight loss program.

And...learn how Rosie's can help!
__________________________________________

Gluten Free 101 Class
Presented by Zach Becker
Saturday, January 23rd 1~3:30 pm, $35
Learn how to easily segue into a GF lifestyle from someone who's been there. Zach Becker of the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog will cover a myriad of topics from how to transition your kitchen and pantry to what resources are out there. This is a wonderful introduction to living successfully, and happily, without gluten!

Sign Up Today! ...Limited seating.
919.833.0505
Rosie's Plate
701 N Person Street
Raleigh, N C 27604
919.833.0505
www.RosiesPlate.com

Does Blue Cheese Have a Place in The Gluten Free Diet. .

2009-12-14T10:48:00.008-05:00

During a recent episode of Dr. Oz, Elisabeth Hasselbeck included blue cheese as a source of gluten containing foods. There is conflicting information circulating around on this subject and I wanted to gather the most up to date information I could find to help you decide if you should include blue cheese in your gluten free diet. A search on the web finds variable food lists where blue cheese is listed as safe on some lists and prohibited on others. I contacted Tricia Thompson, MS,RD author of three gluten free books: The Gluten Free Nutrition Guide, Celiac Disease Nutrition Guide and The Complete Idiot's Guide Gluten Free Eating, for her recommendations. Tricia replied:

Hi Debbie,

This is the statement on blue cheese that Melinda Dennis (Nutrition Coordinator of the Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess) and I contributed to and reviewed for Zeer.com (Read my earlier post on Zeer.com here):

Description: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) defines blue cheese as, "characterized by the presence of bluish-green mold, penicillium roquefortii, throughout the cheese." The requirements of the CFR also describe the process by which blue cheese is made. This process begins by placing curds into forms and adding the mold spores of penicillium roquefortii. As the cheese ages the forms are turned and drained. When the draining is complete, the shaped curd is removed and treated with either a dry salt or brine. At this point holes are made in the surface of the curds, and it is kept at a damp and cool temperature until the characteristic blue-green mold has developed. Blue cheese must be aged for at least 60 days.

Blue cheeses include Roquefort, Stilton, Gorgonzola, and Danish Blue and are made from cow's milk, sheep's milk, or goat's milk cheeses that have been injected with mold. The resulting blue veining gives them their distinct flavor. At one time, most blue cheeses were made in caves by injecting the curds with bread mold. Some European blue cheese still may be injected with mold spores grown on bread made with rye flour or a wheat/rye flour mix. Blue cheeses are typically aged in a temperature-controlled environment including most blue cheeses produced in the U.S. today. Most blue cheeses in the U.S. are not started with a bread mold because it is not efficient or economical.

Gluten-Free Information: If blue cheese is produced through mold grown on bread it is still highly unlikely that it would contain significant amounts of gluten (20 ppm or more gluten). Penicillium roqueforti spores should be purified before being injected into cheese. Furthermore, blue cheese is an FDA-regulated food, and under the agency's Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) if a food includes an ingredient (in this case, penicillium roqueforti) that contains wheat protein, wheat must be declared on the label, either in the ingredients list or in the "Contains" statement. If the spores contained protein from rye this would not have to be declared.

Info Last Confirmed: May 8, 2009

Canadian dietitian, Shelley Case, RD, author of Gluten-Free Diet a Comprehensive Resource Guide. Includes a very detailed article on Blue Cheese with current research on her website. This article was written by Alex Anca, MHSc, RD and published in the March, 2009 issue of the Candian Celiac Association Celiac New. As with all information on the gluten free diet I encourage everyone to make sure you are making your decisions on up to date scientific evidence not out dated information.

Dr. Oz and Oprah Giving Gluten Free Living Some Press

2009-12-08T18:06:00.002-05:00

In case you have not read some of the GF news this week on other blogs. I wanted to mention what I read on Nancy Lapid's About.com. The Dr Oz show this week, December 10th, Thursday will be discussing Celiac Disease. Expected guests include Dr. Green and Elisabeth Hasslebeck. In our area this can be seen on Fox 50 WRAZ at 5:00pm Thurs. The Fox 50 description of the program reads:

The Dr. Oz Show Hidden Epidemic: When Bloating Is a Sign of Something Toxic (New, TVPG) Scheduled: Dr. Oz is joined by Elisabeth Hasselbeck in a discussion about bloating; a mother of three tells how she lost 80 pounds; ulcers and stress.

. The Dr. Oz site describes the show this way:

Bloating? Fatigue? Joint pain? Learn what serious disease presents these common symptoms.

Oprah.com is featuring the Gluten Free Girl and her husband with favorite gluten free holiday recipes.

Shauna James Ahern and Danny Ahern make up the husband-and-wife team of "Gluten-Free Girl and The Chef." Named of the best food blogs in the world by Gourmet.com and BonAppetit.com, Shauna and Danny create an amazing array of dinners, drinks, desserts and more, all without a hint of gluten!

Both sound interesting. I hope to check them out and to try the 36 hour chocolate chip cookies mentioned on Oprah's site!

Mediterra Grill, Restaurant Review

2009-12-06T17:02:00.002-05:00

I recently had lunch at Mediterra Grill, which offers authentic Mediterranean cuisine. Located in the Pavilion East, off Erwin Road, it is convenient for those who work at or around Duke University. There is casual sit down dining and take out is also available. The menu offers daily specials and a nice explanation of what ingredients are used to make an item. Example: Humus: chick pea, tahini, lemon juice or Chicken Hashwi: rice, ground beef topped with shredded chicken and nuts. The prices are reasonable ranging from $2.99 to $9.95. Take a detailed look at the menu here. The staff was very helpful in answering my questions and because you order at the counter you have a good look at the deli case and the items being prepared. As with all gluten free dining experience ask questions and make your requests known. I found this to be a good gluten free dining option. Note: They offer several gluten free dips, but bring your own crackers as pita bread is not gluten free!

Mediterra Grill‎
Pavilion East

2608 Erwin rd, Suite 136
Durham, NC, 27705
Phone:919-383-0066
Fax: 919-383-0061

Product Watch: Quaker Rice Cakes Testing Gluten Free?

2009-11-29T18:49:00.003-05:00

I call various companies from time to time to recheck the information on their products. Upon the request of a client, I called the customer service number on the back of the Quaker Oats Rice Cakes Package and have learned some information worth passing along. According to two different customer representatives (I called and asked the same question on different days to validate the answer)Quaker is in the process of testing all their products for gluten content. The Quaker rice cake ingredients are gluten free:

Lightly Salted Rice Cakes

Ingredients:

WHOLE GRAIN BROWN RICE, SALT

MAY CONTAIN TRACES OF PEANUTS.

BUT the concern in the past has been over the risk of cross contamination. According to my phone conversation the regular rice cake products are testing at less than 20 PPM. The company plans to start using the "Gluten Free" label on the rice cake products soon. I was told to be on the lookout for the apple cinnamon variety to be labeled first. When I asked if the products currently on the grocery shelves are gluten free, just not labeled that way yet, the representatives were hesitant to commit to a yes for sure, but advised me to look for the gluten free label. You can find further information on the Quaker Rice Cakes at their website by clicking here.
The variety of rice cakes are available in eight different flavors. Word of caution the information only applies to the regular size rice cakes, not the mini Quakes product at this time. I have emailed the company for further information and will update this product watch as I learn more.

Happy Gluten Free Thanksgiving!

2009-11-25T08:37:00.002-05:00

I am stepping away from my usual informative posts to reflect on the many things that I have become thankful since my diagnosis with Celiac Disease:

First to a great primary care doctor that was the first to consider my medical issues might be related to Celiac Disease.

For a disease whose sole treatment is diet alone.

Because of my diagnosis other family members were screened and their disease was caught in a timely manner rather than suffering years of tests and medical complications.

For my body responding to a gluten free diet and my anemia resolving so that my MD said "WOW, you have improved so much it looks like you have had a blood transfusion!"

For very supportive family, friends, and coworkers.

To already be working and trained in the field of nutrition and special diets as a registered dietitian. My diagnosis has truely given me new empathy and insight to those that must follow a special diet for a variety of medical needs.

For all the foods that are naturally gluten free.

For the exploding gluten free food market, the options seem to be endless.

For living in a great area that offers many places to shop for gluten free foods.

For the support of national and local support groups, that make following a gluten free diet so much easier.

For Zach's creating the Gluten Free North Carolina network and for giving me the opportunity to write for Gluten Free Durham.

We all have much to be Thankful for....

Have a Wonderful Gluten Free Thanksgiving,
Debbie

Teer House Community Education Presents: Celiac Disease: New Diet Options

2009-11-16T16:41:00.004-05:00

I had lunch last week with a colleague of mine: Lesley Stanford. Lesley has worked at Duke University as a dietitian for the last 21 years and has staffed the pediatric G.I. clinic for the last 12 years. In fact she was the dietitian that spoke with me while my daughter was undergoing her endoscopy procedure and later diagnosis of Celiac Disease. As part of Duke's community education series, Lesley will be speaking at the Teer House located in Durham. Her talk is entitled Celiac Disease: New Diet Options. Lesley explained that she hopes to make this a practical talk with an exchange of ideas. While Lesley does not have Celiac Disease herself, she has much experience talking to families and children with Celiac Disease and other medical conditions. She has tried several gluten free products and gathers wonderful tips from her patients. This class is FREE and open to the public. The Class will be held Tuesday, January 19, 2010, 6:30-8:00 pm. Registration is required. I know January seems like a long time off but if you want to assure your spot in this class you can register now. For further information, directions and to register click here.

Gluten Free Cooking Videos from Kitchen Therapy

2009-11-15T20:36:00.003-05:00

As a member of a group of dietitians specializing in gluten intolerance, I was given the opportunity to trial some cooking videos from Kitchen Therapy. Kitchen Therapy is run by Linda Simon, RD. She is a registered dietitian and a certified personal chef. Her Website, Kitchen Therapy, provides recipes, blogs and cooking videos. I previewed the After School Snacks Video and thought the content and instructions were easy to follow and simple to produce in my own kitchen. Linda's videos do not have a lot of "bells and whistles" but remind me more of my mom trying to teach me how to cook or maybe a class in Home Economics. In addition to cooking instructions, Linda offers sound nutritional information. If you are wondering how to navigate around your kitchen for Thanksgiving, you may be interested in checking out her "My First Thanksgiving and I Made it Myself" video series, which includes 6 gluten free videos. You actually purchase a subscription to the video series for $14.95 which is active for 4 months. For information on purchasing the cooking series click here. Linda is interested in meeting the needs of her clients and has a place for feedback and cooking video request on The Kitchen Therapy website.

Gluten Free Dining at Duke Expands

2009-11-13T07:57:00.004-05:00

Are you a Duke Student, Faculty, or Staff? Well the gluten free options on campus have just enlarged with the recent addition of Rosie's Plate gluten free products to The Great Hall on a daily basis. The Great Hall Dining Facility located on Duke's West Campus is also open to the public. I was contacted by Rose Waring, the owner of Rosie's Plate earlier this week and she asked that I let Durham folks know of this new option for gluten free dining. She explains "I wanted you all to be the first to know the latest greatest exciting news from Rosie’s Plate! Bon Apetit has invited us to offer Rosie’s Plate at the Great Hall Café on Duke’s West Campus. We just started this past Monday and we’re stocking a great selection of our baked goods and savory items. We’re especially excited because the Great Hall Café is open to all Durham residents, not just students, so it’s a really convenient way for people in Durham to enjoy Rosie’s Plate every day." According to Rose daily products will include:

In the Cold Case you will find:

entrees with sides, salads, soups, dips and desserts

The bakery display is right at the front of the café and includes

includes sugar cake doughnuts, pita, muffins, trail mix bars, single

cookies, cheese crackers, graham crackers, granola and cupcakes

Rosie's Plate, located in Raleigh, is a completely gluten, shellfish, and peanut free facility.
To help serve Durham customers they have been providing a weekly delivery service on Tuesdays at Duke Gardens, you can read more about this option from my earlier post. If you are wondering about parking on Duke's West Campus, click here for further information. Having a daily presence at the Great Hall is a wonderful convenience for Durham residents, Thank You Rosie's Plate!

Great Harvest Bread offers Gluten Free Bread

2009-11-09T11:34:00.002-05:00

My gluten free UNC student alerted me to the fact a few weeks ago that the Great Harvest Bread Company in Chapel Hill is offering gluten free bread on Thursdays. I called and spoke with the owner, Rebecca McCorkle, to gather further information. She informed me that they offer both a plain sandwich loaf and a cinnamon raisin variety, each for $5.95. She also explained that they understand the importance of limiting the risk of cross contamination. Thus, the gluten free loaves are baked first thing in the morning in machinery that has been clean and sanitized. They are baked in disposable pans. The gluten free loaves are also stored with a paper covering over the top. I contacted the Dieitian, who serves as a nutrition consultant with with the corporate Great Harvest Bread Company and received the following information: That many of the franchise stores have begun to offer Gluten Free Bread, the basic recipe includes: Water, Cultured Buttermilk, Tapioca Flour, Honey, Brown Rice Flour, Eggs, Buckwheat, Flax Seeds, Cornstarch, Butter (Milk), Yeast, Xantham Gum, Salt, and White Wine Vinegar. NOTE The Chapel Hill Store is offering their bread as both GLUTEN FREE and DAIRY FREE. They have modified their recipe to substitute the buttermilk with rice milk and replace the butter with canola oil. So what about Cross Contamination? The email from the corporate dietitian reads: "Please keep in mind that Great Harvest is a whole grain bread company and that we have lots of flour dust in the bakery. We cannot guarantee a completely gluten free product." Rebecca, from the Chapel Hill Store, seems very motivated to meet the needs of those needing to consume a safe GF product and is willing to consider testing for the presence of gluten in their product. I plan to provide them with further information on reliable testing of products. My daughter and I have tasted both varieties of their bread without any noticeable negative reactions. The quality of the bread is very good and the slices taste good both toasted and freshly sliced. If these products test less than the 20 ppm level, they will make a nice addition to a gluten free diet.

Location and Hours:

229 S. Elliott Road
Chapel Hill, NC
27514

919-932-1112

Great Harvest is open:

Tuesday-Friday 7am-6pm
Saturday 7am-4pm

Food Allergy Walk This Saturday

2009-11-04T09:18:00.001-05:00

This Saturday, November 7th, 2009, there will be a walk to raise funds and awareness for Food Allergies held in Cary. The walk is sponsored by The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) and NC FACES (North Carolina Food Allergic Children Excelling Safely) support group. This will be an excellent opportunity to shine the spotlight on food allergies and how they affect millions of Americans. If you have not seen my Food Allergen Restaurant Poster Petition, click here.

Walk Details
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009
Time: Check-in begins at 9:00 a.m.; Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Bond Park, 801 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513
Distance: 2 miles
Event Web site (visit this site to create or join a team or give
Email Contact: Christa Davidson
Restrictions: No pets, glass bottles, bikes, roller skates, or skate boards. Baby strollers and wagons are welcomed.
Target Fundraising Goal: $70,000 (currently have raised nearly $14,000)

About FAAN
FAAN is a national network offering support and education for people with food allergies. There is a ton a great information on their Web site. The group was established in 1991. FAAN’s membership now stands at close to 30,000 worldwide and includes families, dietitians, nurses, physicians, school staff, and representatives from government agencies and the food and pharmaceutical industries. FAAN serves as the communication link between the patient and others. FAAN focuses on awareness, education, advocacy, research and many other areas (a lot of the same goals for this blog). FAAN is (and has been conducting Food Allergy Walks all over the US for years now. Click here for the Walk Web site. There was also a race in Charlotte this past September which raised more than $25,000 and had over 300 participants.

About NC FACES
NC FACES was started by local parents in 2003 who had children with food allergies. The group began by getting together for play dates and has now grown to over 200 families. They focus on providing local social and emotional support for food allergic families. The group usually has quarterly meetings and other events like Easter egg hunts, Halloween fun and games at the Durham Bulls. They are also a big reason for the local FAAN Walk. Click here for the groups Web site or click here to email for more information. You can also check out the group on Facebook.

Armour Chili Recall-CONTAINS WHEAT

2009-11-01T20:15:00.002-05:00

CHECK YOUR PANTRY SHELVES:
According to the USDA's Food Safery and Inspection site issued October 28, 2009
Pinnacle Foods Group LLC is recalling “ARMOUR Chili with Beans, Original” due to mislabeling in the packaging and may contain wheat.

The product was distributed to retail stores in Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, NORTH CAROLINA, Ohio, Virginia, and West Virginia.

The 15-oz. cans come in a case of six with a plastic over-wrap that incorrectly states the product is "Gluten Free," while the product actually may contain wheat. The label bears an “EST. 2AD” number inside the USDA mark of inspection with dates ranging from August 26, 2009 to October 28, 2009. 91,125 pounds of chili is under recall.

Consumers with questions may call (800) 253-5882.

Kroger-New Products

2009-10-31T19:25:00.005-04:00

On a recent trip to the Kroger on Roxboro Road I was happy to see some new gluten free products in their Nature's Market section of the store. They had a wide variety of French Meadow Bakery products. I have written in an earlier post about how Kroger is a great place to find many products. Click here to review previous posts about Kroger. I had tried the French Meadow line of rolls and wraps but had a hard time finding them locally. Kroger had a nice display of many of their products. I tried a blueberry muffin and a loaf of their multi-grain bread. One slice of this bread provides 3 grams of fiber! Both were very good. To examine more specifics about the French Meadow line of gluten free baked goods click here.

Kroger
5116 N Roxboro Road
Durham, NC 27704
919-471-6263