helloglutenfree

Say hello to...In My Element Blog.

2010-03-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

I recently discovered Leesha's, In my Element blog after she had left a comment on mine. Although her entire blog isn't necessarily about gf topics, it's very interesting and nicely written. I want to share (and hope she doesn't mind!) one of her interesting articles that I just finished reading called, one/sixth. It's about her road to recovery after 1 month of going gf. Enjoy :P

Say hello to...back in Seoul!

2010-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, I have officially left Canada, and all the good food that was fed to me. This photo was part of a 3 course meal that my father prepared for me the night before I left: wild salmon with cheddar, asparagus, yam fries, and crispy rice coated shrimp (the main course). Now that I'm back in Seoul and have finally bought a larger oven and a slow cooker, I hope to experiment some more and post some recipes of my own :P

Say hello to...Bare Minerals Makeup.

2010-02-26T07:00:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I recommended Everyday Minerals in the past. It's not a bad company, and is dedicated to being gluten-free. However, since visiting Canada briefly I've had the opportunity to experiment with other brands. I visited Sephora, bought the Bare Minerals Start-up Kit, and am sold. I don't think I could possibly go back to using another brand. Bare Minerals is a gluten-free line from Bare Escentuals. The powder goes on so smoothly and so natural, that it's barely there. Seriously. I've used the foundation, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, AND eyeliner. It's all so natural and so pleasing to the face. I couldn't recommend a better company. Seriously.

Say hello to...quinoa.

2010-02-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

If you haven't tried the ancient grain quinoa, originating in South America, than you are definitely missing out. This tasty nutty grain tastes fantastic paired with any food, even mixed with brown rice. Made too much quinoa? Use the leftovers on a salad the next day. This grain is as healthy as it gets, and high in protein. Organic quinoa can be bought at your local Costco at a very reasonable price. Be sure to try it :P

Say goodbye to...Green Beaver Natural Deodorant.

2010-02-19T07:00:00.000-08:00

Maybe it's just me and that I haven't given 'natural' deodorant a long enough chance to proove itself, but I really haven't found an organic, natural deodorant that works for me. I'm an active personal who works out regularly and needs a good deodorant. If you can recommend one that has worked for you, please do, but for now I DON'T recommend the Green Beaver Natural Deodorant. Although I have enjoyed some of their products, this isn't one that works for me.

Say hello to...Freybe meat.

2010-02-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to announce that I've found a fantastic sausage company that makes delicious gluten-free sausages: Freybe. You can find it at most local grocery stores, as well as at Choices, my highly recommended West Coast Canadian Health Food store. I wasn't able to try all their products, but definitely made time to try their Beef Jerky, Honey Ham Pepperoni sticks, as well as their Turkey Chicken Pepperoni sticks. All of course Gluten-Free and Lactose Free :)

Say goodbye to...Mi-Del Animal Cookies.

2010-02-12T07:00:00.000-08:00

I must say that I was not overly impressed with the Mi-Del Arrowroot Animal Cookies. Perhaps they'd be fine for a baby or child, but not too tasty for an adult. You may wonder why in the world I'm buying animal cookies to begin with?! Well, I'm a kid at heart, and love to try sweets. I definitely prefer KinniKritter's Animal Cookies, though they are very sweet.

Say hello to...Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Wafers.

2010-02-08T07:00:00.000-08:00

On the continuous topic of how GREAT Glutino products are, I'd also like to brag about their Chocolate Vanilla Wafers, also available in lemon and strawberry. Check out their website for more Glutino products.

Say hello to...Glutino Chocolate Vanilla Creme Cookies.

2010-02-05T07:00:00.000-08:00

I've been a bit overly zealous on trying new gluten-free products since arriving in Vancouver. I feel obligated to share all these sweet treats if you haven't already heard of or tried them. Although not always the healthiest, nor homemade, they do make for an easy sweet treat. I recently bragged about how great KinniToo's Vanilla Creme Cookies were, well, these cookies are the chocolate comparison. Keep an eye out for Glutino Gluten-free Chocolate Vanilla Creme Cookies, also available at local health food stores or Glutenfree.com. Sweet as they are, they are worth the bite...or two :P

Say hello to...Glutino Pretzels.

2010-02-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

I have much to say about Glutino products, but will start with sharing one of my favorites: their Gluten Free Pretzles. Maybe I have been pretzel-deprived, but I can't seem to get enough of them :P Since being in Vancouver I've been on the go a lot, and love to fill my big purse with snacks. These make for a great in-between meals snack (of course with lots of water!). You can find them at most health food stores in Canada or online at Glutenfree.com.

Say hello to...Nature's Path Organic Crunchy Maple Sunrise.

2010-01-29T07:00:00.000-08:00

Technically Nature's Path Organic Crunchy Maple Sunrise is a breakfast cereal, but it is so sweet and delicious that it also tastes extremely good on frozen yogurt as a dessert. It has such a nice variety of different grains and textures, which makes for a nice change compared to other gf cereals that are out there. I HIGHLY recommend trying it!

Say hello to...Tom's of Maine toothpaste.

2010-01-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

I had the privilege to stay with some friends in Victoria, B.C. over the weekend. Since they're also on a gf diet, they introduced me to some wonderful products that I hadn't yet known about. Because I like buying natural products, Tom's of Maine toothpaste particularly stood out to me. Many 'natural' products cost more and don't always work that well. When you compare the leading brands of toothpastes' ingredients to Tom's of Maine toothpaste, it makes you realize how many unnecessary ingredients are added to mainstream toothpastes. I'd much rather prefer to go natural if it works the same!

Say hello to...Lucy's cookies at Starbucks.

2010-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:00

Starbucks has always been my favorite place to get an Americano. No matter where you go in the world, you can expect the same cup of coffee and friendly staff. My friend, who works at Starbucks, just recently told me they now carry various flavors of Lucy's gluten-free cookies, as well as peeled, dried fruit. It's now possible for us to dip our own gf cookies into our delicious hot drink! Thank-you Starbucks :P

Say hello to...Choices Market Canada.

2010-01-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

There are plenty of health food stores in Canada, but one of my favorites is Choices Market in Vancouver, BC. There are several locations in BC, but the one in Vancouver has a Rice Bakery that makes fantastic pies, amongst many other baked goods. Not only is there a bakery, but also a grocery store, and within the grocery store is also a natural beauty supplies/supplements section. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth stopping in.

Say hello to...Earl's Caesar Salad.

2010-01-15T07:00:00.000-08:00

I previously blogged about Earl's Restaurant's gluten-free menu. I've since been to Earl's Restaurant in two different Canadian cities, Saskatoon and Vancouver, and have received tremendous service in regards to my questions on their gluten-free options. Of course, like before, I opted for their Hot Cajun Chicken Caesar Salad, minus the bread and croutons. The dressing was gf at both locations. It may not fill you up entirely, but is certainly a nice portion and mighty tasty! Check for a location nearest you!

Say hello to...KinniToos Vanilla Creme Cookies.

2010-01-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

Well, as if I haven't listed enough treats from Kinnikinnick. But here's yet another tasty, sweet, delicious treat! KinniToos Vanilla Sandwhich Creme Cookies. They're definitely worth trying out and taste delicious crumbled over yogurt ice cream :P

Say hello to...Kinnikinnick pizza crust.

2010-01-08T07:00:00.001-08:00

Do I ever love homemade pizza. Who doesn't, really?! I've tried several dry mixes but have never been completely satisfied with the pizza, especially the day after. I picked up Kinnikinnick pizza crust the other day, which came in a pack of 3 10" round crusts. After making a delicious chicken pineapple pizza, I was surprised that it tasted just as good the next day. It's not entirely homemade, but pretty darn close!

Say hello to...KinniKritters Animal Cookies.

2010-01-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

I've mentioned the gf brand Kinnikinnick before, but have made a new product discovery since arriving in Canada. I found KinniKritters Animal Cookies at the local Safeway grocery store, as well as at independent health food stores. When it comes to snacks, I'm definitely a kid at heart. More posts revealing tasty products from this company will follow :)

Say hello to...Red Lobster Restaurant.

2010-01-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year! Today my grandmother had requested to go to Red Lobster for lunch, her favorite restaurant. As usual, I checked their website the day before and found no mention of gf options. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I immediately asked the host about possible gf options. She informed me that all the staff and chefs would be able to assist me. I was tremendously impressed with how informed they were and what I was able to eat. I enjoyed a delicious white fish with steamed vegetables and house salad with balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Of course each location may be different, so be sure to check beforehand. I hope you can share the same experience!

Say hello to...Green Beaver Company.

2009-12-28T07:00:00.000-08:00

It's exciting to be back in Canada. Of course to see family and friends, but also to see the gf products that are now offered. One of my favorite discoveries, a Canadian product itself, is the Green Beaver Company. All it's products are 100% natural, biodegradable, vegan, and gluten-free. So far I've tried the Apple Mint Shine Shampoo and Conditioner. Not only does it feel great, but it's also affordable! The website has a complete list of stores in Canada that sell Green Beaver Products. It's worth looking into!

Say hello to...Coconut Cookies.

2009-12-25T07:00:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas to all! Hope you're having a wonderful gluten-free Christmas celebration. Fortunately I'm home in Canada for Christmas and thoroughly enjoying all the gf goodies I can get my hands on. One of my most favorite anticipated gf cookies are PaneRiso Foods Coconut Cookies. They simply melt in your mouth :P The rest of my posts for the next two months will be of newly discovered gf goods in Canada.

Say hello to...Trader Joe's Ginger Snaps.

2009-12-21T07:00:00.000-08:00

The gf selection at Trader Joe's may not be large, but it's definitely affordable. They may not have a gf section either, but their gf products are all marked. If you don't want to do any gf Christmas baking, want to surprise a gluten-intolerant friend, or simply want to add something special to your child's lunch box, Trader Joe's gf Ginger Snaps will definitely be enjoyed! Be sure to pick these light and crunchy cookies up, even if you aren't gluten-intolerant ;)

Say hello to...homemade hot apple cider.

2009-12-18T07:00:00.000-08:00

On the lines of recipes for the holiday season, it's easy to add homemade hot apple cider. When making something homemade, I typically like to keep the recipe as healthy as possible. That's why I enjoy Elana's Pantry so much. She has so wonderfully posted her own homemade hot apple cider. If you're living somewhere cold like me, be sure to warm yourself up with this deliciously refreshing drink!

Say hello to...a gf Christmas meal plan.

2009-12-14T07:00:00.000-08:00

Glutenfreeda presents, "A Very Merry GF Christmas!" which is a very convenient meal plan for Christmas day. If you're stuck, this might be just for you! Check it out :P

Say hello to...gluten-free Christmas cookies!

2009-12-11T07:00:00.000-08:00

My family has a long list of Christmas baking traditions, however I haven't yet experimented to turn them gf (since ingredients can be hard to find in Korea). I will be home for Christmas this year so my father has decided to make gluten-free Christmas cake. I hope to do my own Christmas baking too :P I stumbled upon Glutenfreeda which lists several kinds of gf Christmas cookies. What would Christmas be without some yummy cookies?!

Say hello to...a child's gluten-free Christmas.

2009-12-07T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm not a mother yet, but I think I can imagine what it would be like to worry about your Celiac child during the Christmas season. Kristy Cussens has gone ahead of us and posted, A Gluten Free Christmas For Your Celiac Child – Seven Strategies to Keep the Season Gluten Free. Read about her helpful tips and advice.

Say hello to...gluten-free party food!!!

2009-12-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

This month is ALL about gluten-free Christmas food! I stumbled upon The Gluten-Free Homemaker's website, and can hardly wait to try the pudding cookies! Join in the fun and share your favorite gluten-free party dish :P

Say hello to...gluten-free candy canes.

2009-11-30T07:00:00.000-08:00

She did her research for Halloween candy, and has done it again for Christmas. Gluten Free Mom has carefully done her candy research and has presented her results on gluten-free candy cane companies. Check out her website to see her complete list :P

Say hello to...New Grist Beer.

2009-11-27T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm really not a beer drinker, but wouldn't mind tasting New Grist after all the hype it's received. Lakefront Brewery is a locally-owned microbrewery that specializes in handmade beers in Milwaukee, WI. New Grist is their gluten-free beer brewed from sorghum, hops, water, rice, and gluten-free yeast grown on molasses. These ingredients form a crisp and 'session ale' popular to anyone who appreciates homemade beer. New Grist is now also available in LCBO stores in Ontario, Canada.

Say hello to...gluten-free cheat-sheet.

2009-11-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

Karina's Kitchen blog has a fantastic gluten-free cheat-sheet that provides basic information for those new to the gluten-free diet. It can also be passed along to family and friends to help them become aware of what you can and cannot eat. My sister recently decided to make gluten-free baking this Christmas and found this website to be most helpful for her!

Photo taken from Flickr Bev (Sugarbloom Cupcake) 's Photostream.

Chex say's goodbye to...gluten :)

2009-11-20T07:00:00.000-08:00

This probably isn't anything new if you're a gluten-free blog frequenter, but let me REMIND you of these fantastic gluten-free Chex cereals. Chex has finally said GOODBYE to gluten. So far I've tried Corn Chex, Rice Chex, and Honey Nut Chex. I've already posted on how much I LOVE the latter :P What do you think about these? Check out the gluten-free advertisement by General Mills.

Say hello to...Alba Botanicals.

2009-11-16T07:00:00.000-08:00

Alba Botanicals has some great products. Two of my favorite are Facial Sunscreen and Very Emollient Body Lotion. If you're sensitive to fragrance and most lotions, you should definitely try these since they're fragrance-free and feel light on the skin. They're non-greasy and don't make your skin oily. Good for everyday use!

Say hello to...Bob's Red Mill Cookbook.

2009-11-13T07:00:00.000-08:00

Check out the newest Bob's Red Mill Cookbook: Whole & Healthy Grains for Every Meal of the Day.

Say hello to...Earl's gluten-free menu.

2009-11-09T07:00:00.000-08:00

If you're from Canada, you've most likely heard of the restaurant Earl's. Located in most cities, it has even started to spread within the States. When visiting our hometown, my husband and I just love going for dinner and drinks there. Curious, I wondered if they'd come out with a gf menu. Here was there response:

"All of our chefs are trained to be aware of allergy/gluten needs. If our customers wish to call the head chef of the Earls restaurant in their area, he/she will be happy to answer specific questions about any menu items. Our current Gluten Free Menu Items are: Mixed Field Greens, Chili Chicken, Edamame Beans, 7 oz Top Sirloin, 9 oz Top Sirloin, 10 oz California Cut New York Striploin, Oven Roasted Chicken (depends on sauce used), Cajun Blackened Chicken, and Braised Hickory Back Ribs."

I definitely look forward to visiting Earl's the next time I'm in Canada :P

Say hello to...broccoli cheese quiche.

2009-11-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

I'm in the process of recovering from mono. At my worst, I was mostly eating yogurt and scrambled eggs, but as my tonsils have improved I've tried to include other food groups. So I decided to make quiche, since I could add to it whatever I wanted. My recipe is crustless, but you can always add an easy gf pre-mix package, a homemade crust, or crumbled potatoes on the bottom layer. Feel free to adapt veggies of your choice, like adding spinach. Also, I like to use tomato sauce in place of milk to give it a more tomato-ey taste. I've enjoyed this recipe so much that I've made it 3 times this week :P

Ingredients

3 whole eggs

3 egg whites

1 1/2 cup shredded cheese (I use cheddar & mozarella)

1 cup of tomato sauce or 1 cup of milk/soy milk

About 2 broccoli heads, cut to small pieces

4-5 slices of gf ham or turkey sandwich meat, cut into bite-size pieces

1 tsp sea salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp nutmeg

Sprinkled fresh herbs (thyme, basil, marjoram)

1. Pre-heat oven to 350.

2. Spray pan or casserole dish with cooking oil. If using a crust or potatoes, cover the bottom layer with it.

3. In a medium bowl mix broccolli, ham, and cheeses. Spread over the bottom of the pan.

4. In a small bowl whisk whole eggs, egg whites, milk or sauce, and spices until well combined. Gently pour mixture over the vegetables and cheeses. Sprinkle the with more nutmeg.

5. Bake 40-50min or until a toothpick comes out clean. Let sit at least 10-15 min so it can set.

Say hello to...Eskal lemon wafers.

2009-11-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

Last week I bragged about how great Eskal vanilla tea biscuits are. I've since tried Eskal lemon wafers, and would like to share this tasty product with you too. It also comes in white chocolate...mmm :P

Say hello to...Venice, Italy.

2009-11-02T07:00:00.000-08:00

Italy was always a country that I thought would be difficult to travel to since they eat a lot of bread and pasta. But after finding out that they screen every child for Celiac Disease and that the restaurant chefs are more than aware of what Celiac Disease is, It's been my #1 go-to destination. So I was very excited when Gluten Free Portland Oregon posted some fantastic information on eating gluten-free in Venice, Italy.

Say hello to...chicken satay noodle salad.

2009-10-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

My friend introduced this unique pasta dish to me when I was visiting her in California a few years back. I sort of forgot about it until my sister-in-law was visiting and is allergic to tomatoes, thus no tomato sauce for her. This recipe was adapted from Everyday with Rachel Ray.

Ingredients:

1 lb whole grain gluten-free spaghetti

1/3 cup smooth peanut butter

2 tbsp honey

1/4 cup warm water

1/4 cup gluten-free soy sauce

juice of 2 limes

1 tsp hot pepper sauce

1 clove of garlic, grated

3 tbsp of olive oil/vegetable oil

2 cup of chicken, diced

1 cup of spinach (optional)

1/3 cup carrots, shredded

4 green onions or broccoli, chopped

1/4 cup peanuts, chopped

2 tbsp cilantro, chopped

1. Cut chicken breasts into bite-size pieces and bake or fry.

2. Bring large pot to a boil, salt it, and add pasta. Once fully cooked, drain, rinse, and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, whisk peanut butter, honey, and 1/4 cup warm water. Whisk in hot sauce, lime juice, soy sauce, and garlic. Pour in oil in a steady stream, whisking to combine.

4. Add reserved noodles to sauce, and toss to coat.

5. Place noodles in 4 shallow bowls. Top with chicken, grated carrots, green vegetables, peanuts, and cilantro.

Say hello to...Butterfingers pure butter shortbread.

2009-10-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

On the same note, Butterfingers pure butter shortbread are also melt-in-your-mouth cookies. Combine them with a hot cup of tea or coffee, and you won't be able to put them down! These were also brought by my wonderful sister-in-law from Australia :)

Say hello to...Eskal vanilla tea biscuits.

2009-10-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

My sister in-law is currently visiting from Australia. She brought my absolute favorite melt-in-your-mouth biscuits from Australia; Eskal vanilla tea biscuits. I haven't been able to find them online in America but you can purchase them in Australia and the U.K.

Say hello to...H1N1 vaccine.

2009-10-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

In case you were wondering, the Canadian Celiac Association has clarified that the H1N1 vaccine is gluten free. However, I have read that the vaccine with the adjuvent contains wheat germ. Allergic Living has cleared up the confusion by posting an article with the vaccine ingredients.

Say hello to...Chapman's ice cream.

2009-10-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

On the topic of sweetness, Chapman's ice cream now has a gluten-free symbol placed on every item that is gluten-free. Stated on their site, "Chapman’s is proud of the fact that all our Original ice cream products in 2L and 4L line sizes are now gluten free so that the kid in all of us can enjoy a worry-free bowl of delicious ice cream. Look for the Gluten Free symbol." Now I know it's almost winter, but vanilla ice cream on that apple pie sure sounds good :) Look for these symbols:

Say hello to...gluten-free candy.

2009-10-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not a kid and I don't have kids, but I sure enjoy eating candy. With halloween just around the corner, you may want to know which candies are considered gluten free. I stumbled upon Gluten Free Mom where she's listed all her candy research for us! Even if you don't celebrate halloween, you can still indulge in some treats :P

Say hello to...tasty tomato juice.

2009-10-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

My new favorite vegetable quick fix:
Cut 3-4 ripe tomato's into smaller pieces and toss into a blender. Add 1/4-1/2 cup of water (add more water if they are not mixing well enough). Throw in 3-4 fresh basil leaves, a bunch of fresh or dried mint leaves, and fresh ground salt and pepper to taste. Makes 2-3 servings. Drink cold, and refrigerate remaining juice for up to 2 days.

Say hello to...Jelly Belly Jelly Beans.

2009-10-14T07:00:00.001-07:00

I was definitely a candy girl growing up, and still haven't grown out of it. My mom came to visit me in Seoul and brought me 2 bags of Jelly Belly Jelly Beans. I was so excited to eat them, and even more excited when I found out that they were gluten-free. Mmm, they sure didn't last long!

Say hello to...The Wheat-Free Gourmet.

2009-10-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's one thing to find a great gluten-free recipe online and another thing to actually get it to taste how it's supposed to. Gluten-free baking and cooking can certainly be tricky. I was surprised then to find The Wheat-Free Gourment, which is a workshop or cooking class that teaches you about devine gluten-free baking and cooking. Although I'm no way near Boulder, Colorado I'm pretty excited about this kind of course!

Say hello to...gluten-free treats.

2009-10-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

I try to post my own recipes on Friday's, but have been too busy to try new ones! So...I have scouted out some recipes that I plan to try in the new future ;) These two photos are taken from my absolute favorite website, Elana's Pantry. Not only are Elana's photo's almost always mouth-watering, but the recipes themselves aren't too difficult to make. Cranberry Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies and Gluten Free Granola are waiting for you to try them out ;)

Say hello to...The Celiac Scene.

2009-10-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

I stumbled across The Celiac Scene on the Canadian Celiac Society website. Some restaurants even bear the symbol of the Gluten Free Restaurant Awareness Program, assuring you that they are certified by the Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) of North America. Their website provides detailed city maps on locations of gf friendly restaurants, up-to-date information, and an opportunity to provide your own feedback on gf friendly restaurants. Feel safe eating out, while also enjoying a scrumptuous meal :)

Say hello to...Gluten-Free Cooking Spree.

2009-10-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Come hungry to San Francisco on October 30th to watch top chefs, doctors, and media members compete to make the best gluten-free dish, than leave full. This event is put on by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA) to educate chefs, doctors, and others on the gluten-free diet. Visit Celiac Central to see which chefs and doctors will be attending the event. Please support Celiac Awareness and share information on gluten-free chefs and their restaurants!

Say hello to...gluten-free restaurants in Montreal.

2009-10-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

Ever been to Montreal, Quebec in Canada? It's the french speaking province of Canada. Rich in culture, with many things to see, Montreal is a vibrant city worth visiting. With the growing amount of gluten-free restaurants in the area, there is now a site that lists over 30 of these restaurants in Montreal and surrounding area. Check out RESTOMONTREAL site to view them.

Say goodbye to...Quaker Mini Rice Cakes.

2009-09-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Many of you may already be aware of this, but Quaker Mini Rice Cakes are no longer listed as gluten-free products. I've also been informed that all of their large rice cakes except the Cracker Jack flavour are gluten-free. This update was sent on 9/19/9.

Say hello to...gluten-free Old Dutch products.

2009-09-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm not much of a potato chip person, but I'm sure they're lots of you out there ;) I regularly receive updates on gluten-free products from various companies. Here's a list of current gluten free products sent on 8/31/9 from Belinda Simms at Old Dutch:

Baked Crisps, Creamy Dill Crisps and Salt and Vinegar Crisps, Humpty Dumpty Cheese Sticks, Regular Potato Chips, Crunch Sea Salt & Malt Vinegar (Malt is simulated), BBQ Potato Chips, Crunch Mesquite BBQ, RipL Potato Chips, Rip-L Lightly Salted, Crunch Jalapeno and Cheddar, Rip-L Sour Cream and Green Onion, Rip-L Smokey BBQ Chips, Rip-L Creamy Dill, Rip-L Mexican Chili, Salt'n'Vinegar Potato Chips, Ketchup Potato Chips, Sour Cream'n'Onion Potato Chips, Crispy Bacon Chips, Arriba Nacho Cheese, Arriba Zesty Taco, Cheddar and Sour Cream Chips, Arriba Jalapeno & Cheddar, Onion & Garlic Potato Chips, All Dressed Potato Chips, Regular Corn Chips, Dill Pickle Potato Chips, BBQ Corn Chips, Restaurante Original Tortilla Chips, Bac’n Puffs, Restaurante Bite Size Tortilla Chips, Restaurante Deli Round Tortilla Chips, Restaurante Crispy Round Tortilla Chips, Restaurante Salsa Spoons Tortilla Chips, Restaurante Sea Salt & Hint of Lime Tortilla Chips, Cheese Pleesers, Popcorn Twists, Premium Cheese Flavoured Popcorn, White Cheddar Popcorn, Nacho Crunchys, Popcorn Twists, Restaurante Salsa (Mild & Medium).

Say hello to...easy chickpea salad.

2009-09-25T07:00:00.000-07:00

I often soak and boil my own chickpea's on a Sunday so that I can toss some onto one of my packed lunch salads. It adds a nice variety and taste to an often plain salad. I had some in my fridge that I wanted to use up and decided to make a salad. I added some sliced leeks, sliced tomatoes, sliced celery, a few nuts, and drizzled it with my favorite balsamic mustard vinaigrette. It was a quick, easy, and tasteful salad to snack on or combine with a meal. It's a good way to get rid of vegetables in your fridge too ;)

Say hello to...gluten free Olive Garden Canada.

2009-09-23T07:00:00.000-07:00

It looks like we can receive the gluten free menu in both Canada and the States :) The following message was sent to me from Olive Garden Canada:

Dear Janessa:

Thank you for your inquiry regarding menu items for Gluten Intolerant guests in Canada. Even though it is not listed on the website, Olive Gardens that are located in Canada should still offer the Gluten Free menu. We can recommend the following items with some adjustments. Let your server know you are interested in menu items especially for Gluten Intolerance. Your server will be happy to accommodate your request.

Salads:
~Garden Salad - order without croutons
~Caesar Salad - order without croutons

Entrees:
~Pennine Rigate with Marinara - marinara sauce made with a blend of tomatoes, bell peppers, onions, and Italian herbs, served over a gluten-free penne pasta
~Steak Toscano - brushed with Italian herbs and served with grilled vegetables
~Herb-Grilled Salmon brushed with Italian herbs and extra-virgin olive oil accompanied by broccoli and grilled vegetables
~Mixed Grill - skewers of grilled steak and chicken marinated in Italian herbs and extra-virgin olive oil and served with broccoli and grilled vegetables. (please ask that it be served without the demi-glaze)
~Mixed Grill with Chicken only - skewers of chicken marinated in Italian herbs and extra-virgin olive oil and served with broccoli and grilled vegetables (please ask that it be served without the demi-glaze)
~Children's Grilled Chicken - grilled chicken breast served with broccoli and grilled vegetables.

Say hello to...gluten-free Olive Garden.

2009-09-21T07:00:00.000-07:00

Who knew the Olive Garden would someday have gluten-free options on its menu? It's known mainly for it's pasta, right? They now offer their Garden Fresh Salad without croutons, Caesar Salad without croutons, Pennine Rigate with Marinara (using gf penne), Steak Toscano, Herb-Grilled Salmon, and Mixed Grill Skewers. It seems as though the gf menu is only offered in the U.S as the Canadian website doesn't list this menu. I have contacted Olive Garden Canada to enquire about this and will keep you posted ;)

Say hello to...Elana's Pantry.

2009-09-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

I enjoy frequently checking Elana's Pantry for exquisite recipes. Since my mother's currently visiting me in Seoul, leaving me little time to blog, I've decided to direct you to 2 mouth-watering recipes; Creamy Avocado Dressing and Double Chocolate Cherry Cookies. The latter is in Elana's new, 'The Gluten Free Almond Flour Cookbook' and was also recently published in Colorado Parent Magazine. Enjoy :)

Say hello to...Gluten-free magazines.

2009-09-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's a bit difficult to purchase gluten-free magazines here in Asia, but thanks to the internet I'm able to see what's out there online. I decided to check a few of the magazines' websites out to see how many gf magazines are actually out there. Here's what I found:

- Gluten Free Living is dedicated entirely to the gluten-free lifestyle.

- Living Without deals with various allergies and intolerances.

- Natural Life Magazine provides articles on living gluten-free.

- Allergic Living provides information for celiacs.

- Easy Eats Gluten Free Mag gives recipes on eating gluten-free.

Have a favorite? Let me know so I can grab it the next time I get a chance ;)

Say hello to...Made In Nature Organic Raisins.

2009-09-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Finally, delicious, natural raisins, that are labelled allergen and gluten-free. No more worrying about whether raisins are brushed with wheat to prevent sticking in packages. What I love about Made In Nature Organic Raisins is they aren't covered in perservatives and sugar, thus giving a sugary feeling on your teeth. They taste fresh and delicious, especially mixed with nuts!

Say hello to...Larb Gai.

2009-09-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

While in Thailand last month, this became one of my new favorite Thai dishes. It's usually quiet spicy in the restaurant, but you can adjust the chili taste when you make it at home. Like most thai dishes, it has an amazing blend of unique flavors.

Ingredients
1/2 cup/ 125ml of chicken stock
1 cup/ 150g minced chicken
2 tbsp lime juice
1-2 tbsp fish sauce (to taste)
1 tsp chili powder (to taste)
1 tsp sugar
pinch of salt
2 tbsp roasted, ground rice
2 shallots, thinly sliced
1/4 cup spring onions, chopped
1/4 cup coriander leaves, chopped
1/4 cup mint leaves
5-10 small dried chilies (to taste)
1/4 head of cabbage

1. Bring chicken stock to a boil. Add minced chicken and simmer, stirring often, until tender. Be sure not to overcook, otherwise meat will be too tough. Remove from heat.
2. Season with lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, chili powder, and roasted rice.
3. Mix in shallots and spring onion with other herbs, toss gently.
4. Sprinkle with coriander leaves and dried chilies (I omit the dried chilies otherwise it's too spicy for me!).
5. Serve the chicken cupped inside the cabbage, like a wrap, or eat together with green beans, or rice.

Say hello to...London Drugs & Walmart.

2009-09-09T07:00:00.000-07:00

You may be so used to going to health food stores to buy gf food, that you may not have realized how many mainstream stores actually carry gf products these days. When my friend came back to Korea from the States she bought me a bunch of gf goodies from Walmart. She said there was a whole section dedicated to gf foods...and for a good price! In Canada you can now purchase gf food at Safeway, Superstore, and London Drugs. While Safeway and Superstore carry Kinnikinnick amongst other brands, London Drugs carries Enjoy Life cookies and bars as well as Mary's Organic Crackers. Check out the stores nearest you.

Say hello to...a few of my favorite summer foods.

2009-09-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

Well summer is almost gone, so be sure to enjoy your favorite summer fruits before the end of the month! Here's a few of my favorite foods that I enjoyed this past summer:

- sliced strawberries and yogurt for breakfast.
- banana bread for breakfast on-the-go.
- honey nut chex and yogurt.
- watermelon cubes for snacking between meals.
- tomato salad as an after work snack (to hold me over until dinner!).
- chickpea patties for a lazy leftover dinner.
- baked sweet potato cubes to pair with chicken or curry dishes.
- fragrant chicken for a last minute dinner invite.
- fresh herbs sprinkled over roasted potatoes.
- chicken salad with mustard balsamic olive oil dressing.
- snacking on raisins and almonds.
- baked apples and peaches for an evening snack.

Say hello to...Stevia.

2009-09-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Prior to leaving for Thailand in August, I had stumbled upon some recipes that called for liquid stevia. After reading about Stevia, I learned that it's low glycemic, low carbohydrate and is used as 40% of the sweetner market in Japan! In America it's currently classified as a dietary supplement and not a food additive. It comes in various forms, such as tea leaves, pure powder, and liquid drops. I recently purchased Now Foods' French Vanilla Stevia Extra Liquid to use in my coffee. It tastes great, like any other sweetner, but be careful to only add a little since it's 200 times sweeter than regular sugar! While in Thailand I found a wonderful store that sold all kinds of dried tea leaves from Thailand, including Stevia leaves. I love adding it to my peppermint tea for extra sweetness ;)

Say hello to...Giovanni Hair Products.

2009-09-02T07:00:00.000-07:00

If you're into organic products and haven't yet heard of Giovanni Hair Products than you're in for a treat. Not all their products are gluten-free, so be sure to check the labels. Some organic or natural hair products don't lather up well and have an awful residue when rinsing your hair. I've found Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner to work wonders in my hair. I also love Nutrafix Hair Reconstructor and Vitapro Fusion Protective Moisture for hair treatement. I've tried Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo, but found I had to use quiet a bit to get a nice lather going. However, Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Conditioner is incredibly soothing on your scalp as you massage it in. The tea tree has a tingling effect. Give it a try if you haven't done so already.

Say hello to...Fantastic rice crackers.

2009-08-31T07:00:00.001-07:00

I first experienced Fantastic rice crackers when I was in Australia. I noticed that they were labeled gluten-free, but decided to check the ingredients as usual. I was very shocked to see that it contained soy sauce powder which had hydrolyzed wheat. I thought this was odd since Australia has strict gluten-free labeling laws. After contacting the Fantastic company, I received the following response from Marianne Gan (08/30/09):

As a Quality Assured food manufacturer all our products are produced and labelled in accordance with the requirements of Food Standards Australia & New Zealand. Hydrolysed wheat does not contain gluten. The soy sauce powder used, is made by fermenting soy beans with a small amount of wheat. In the process of fermentation the wheat is hydrolysed and decomposed. Regular testings are conducted by an Accredited laboratory tests to confirm this product is gluten free by scientific analysis.

At the time I had read a post on Celiac.com about a few individuals who were also confused by this label. Although they received a similar response from the company, they still believed that hydrolyzed wheat contained gluten. Now I'm sensitive to the smallest bread crumb and did not get sick from these crackers. I'm interested in knowing about your experiences with hydrolyzed wheat?

Say goodbye to...Thailand.

2009-08-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

We sure had a fantastic time in Thailand, and are now back in Seoul as healthy as when we left. That's right, I didn't get sick once while in Thailand. Not even a little tummy ache. Thailand doesn't seem to fail me ;) I look forward to using all the gluten-free products that I brought back from Thailand in the days to come. Until then...

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #10.

2009-08-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tip #10: Eat as much fresh fruit as you can. If you don't live in the tropics (which I'm sure most of us reading this don't), how often do you get to eat mangos, jackfruit, dragonfruit, durian, pineapple, coconut, lychees, longans, and all those other exotic fruits?! The markets have loads of fresh fruits cheaper than a slurpee ;) Grocery stores will even sell already cut-up fruit in packages. If all else fails and you're not sure what you can eat, you know you can always count on fresh fruit. Enjoy it while you can, cause when you go back home you may not be able to find these luscious fruits- and if you can, they'll cost a lot more!

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #9.

2009-08-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tip #9: Visit Eurothai Restaurant at Patong Beach, Phuket. This is my husband and I, very happy, at our last meal at Eurothai Restaurant. We've visited this restaurant for two summers now, and would eat there once or twice a day. They have both European and Thai food so my husband would be very happy to eat pizza, while I was able to eat gluten-free Thai food. The English speaking staff is more than friendly and catered very willingly to my gluten-free diet. I would bring my own gf soy sauce and oyster sauce. However, I soon found out that they already carried the brand of soy sauce that I'd been bringing, and their oyster sauce naturally didn't use wheat but corn. If you go there, be sure to ask for Paw or Pew. They speak excellent English and know me well :) Here's the restaurant info:

Telephone: 076-341-464

Mobile: 087-798-5450

Email: eurothai-pk@hotmail.com

Address: 80/10, SOl Dr. Wattana, Thaweewong Rd., Patong Beach, Phuket.

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #8.

2009-08-19T07:00:00.001-07:00

Tip #8: Check out the Blue Elephant Royal Thai Cuisine products at Carrefour grocery store. All major allergens, including gluten, is listed under product ingredients. Although some products do contain gluten (light soy sauce & tamarind sauce) there are quiet a few that don't contain gluten: red curry paste, green curry paste, massaman curry paste, tom ka gai, tom yum spicy soup, and oyster sauce. I bought the oyster sauce at carrefour and brought it to my favorite restaurant. I also brought a whole load of the curry pastes back to Korea with me.

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #7.

2009-08-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tip #7: Bring your own sauces to the restaurant. It's possible to find restaurants with waiters/waitresses that speak excellent English and can understand your intolerance to gluten after an explanation. In this case, you can enjoy Thai stir fry's that are replaced with your own gluten free soy sauce or oyster sauce. I found such a great restaurant at Patong Beach that catered to my gluten intolerance needs that my husband and I would go there everyday, sometimes for two meals. I will write about this restaurant later. Of course, only do this if you feel they completely understand the seriousness of the matter, and know that they use freshly cleaned pans for each dish. I found a gluten-free oyster sauce made by Blue Elephant Royal Thai Cuisine at Carrefour grocery store.

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #6.

2009-08-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tip #6: When in doubt, order a dish that naturally doesn't contain gluten sauces. Red curry, green curry, and yellow curry are made from curry, coconut milk, veggies, and meat. These three curries have a slightly different taste and can have different veggies and meat . Tom Ka Gai is a coconut chicken soup. It's made from homemade chicken broth, coconut milk, galangal, natural herbs, veggies and meat. One of my new favorites is Larb Gai, which is a savory spicy chicken salad. The minced meat is cooked in fish sauce (though it doesn't taste fishy), lime, mint, roasted ground rice, and cabbage. It can be quiet spicy, so if preferred, ask for a mild version. Not only are these dishes naturally gluten-free, but they're also a delight to eat. Be sure to try them ALL :)

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #5.

2009-08-14T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tip #5: Sign-up for a Thai cooking class so that you become more familiar with the ingredients in Thai dishes. You can sign up for these classes at any tour agency or hotel in Thailand. Last summer I did a course at Phuket Thai Cookery School near Phuket Town in Phuket. The outdoor kitchen was big, clean, and located on a private beach. We learned how to make an appetizer, 3 main dishes, and a dessert. I brought my own soy sauce and oyster sauce for the cashew chicken and pad thai dishes, and rice paper for the spring rolls. After cooking we could enjoy all our homemade dishes with a spectacular view. Just yesterday I took another cooking course at Mercure Hotel Patong. I was the only one signed up so I had the chef's undivided attention to answer all my questions :) I highly recommend taking a cooking course!

The view from the kitchen at Phuket Cookery School.

Cooking the filling for spring rolls at Phuket Cookery School.

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #4.

2009-08-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tip #4: Stay in a touristy area. Touristy area's will have restaurant waiters/waitresses who speak better English, will have big chain hotels that can accommodate to your needs, and will have large grocery stores. One of the reasons my husband and I keep heading back to Patong Beach, Phuket is because we know what to expect. We know that we can eat at our favorite restaurant that takes special care to cook gluten-free food for me. We know that we can stay at a chain hotel where we can talk with the chef about my dietary needs. We also know that there is a large shopping centre (Jungceylon) down the street that has a Carrefour grocery store. All of these things make for a smooth and less risky trip.

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #3.

2009-08-10T07:00:00.002-07:00

Tip #3: Stay near a Carrefour grocery store. At Patong beach there is a large shopping centre called Jungceylon. Not only is Jungceylon a fun shopping centre, but it also has a Carrefour grocery store. Because the tourists are mainly from Europe and Australia, there is a lot of European food at Carrefour. I was in shock when I stumbled upon a variety of labeled gluten-free foods that are imported from Australia. Here's what I found: Fantastic rice crackers, 2 Organic Ville salad dressings, Basco Apricot and Apple cereal, Basco chocolate muffin mix, Basco gluten-free flour, Basco pancake mix, and Basco pizza and pastry mix. There's also a few foreign brands that make Thai packaged food and list all allergens, including gluten. So not only can I use some of these foods to snack on while here, but I can also bring home a whole lot of gluten-free foods back to Seoul with me :)

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #2.

2009-08-07T07:00:00.004-07:00

Tip #2: Download a gluten-free restaurant card onto your ipod. The Apple store has a free version and it comes in a whole variety of languages. You can also access it on Celiac Travel. Once downloaded, simply show that restaurant card to your waiter/waitress and chef upon arriving at the restaurant. Very convenient, handy, and FREE :)

Say hello to...eating gf in thailand: tip #1.

2009-08-05T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tip #1: Become familiar with Thai ingredients. If you're not already familiar with Thai ingredients, than research recipes online before going on your trip. Find out which recipes use soy sauce and oyster sauce (both of which contain wheat flour). Quiet a few Thai dishes are naturally gluten-free, however most stir-fry's use soy sauce and/or oyster sauce. Traditional Pad Thai dishes don't use soy sauce, however some restaurants add it to make it more foreign friendly. Always ask the waitress/waiter if their Pad Thai contains soy sauce. If yes, simply ask them to leave it out. They can substitute it with their usual Pad Thai ingredients of palm sugar and fish sauce (both are gluten-free).

Say hello to...Thailand.

2009-08-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

It's official, I'm on my way to Thailand. Ever since my husband and I have moved to Korea, we just can't get enough of Thailand. Not only is it a beauty to look at, but it's also a cheap vacation with great food. This will be our third trip to Thailand with no instances of me getting sick from food. I recently read about a hotel here that offers a gluten-free menu. My husband and I plan on dinning there and interviewing the restaurant cooks and waiters. Stay tuned for more on Thailand :)

Say hello to...mozzarella tomato salad.

2009-07-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

So this is my recent favorite salad. Simple, easy to make, and a healthy mid-day snack. Simply slice tomatoes and mozzarella cheese, top with basil and/or cilantro, and add a simple balsamic and olive oil dressing. My balsamic olive oil dressing works great over this salad. Also, the other day I mentioned Hormel Honey Turkey Deli Meat. Bake this like bacon (add some spray oil) and top over the salad. Once tried with these ingredients...you'll want to keep making it every week. Enjoy :)

Say hello to...gluten-free lipstick.

2009-07-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Last week I mentioned that I was searching for a gluten free mainstream lipstick. I purchased my lipstick at the duty free shop and will receive it when I fly out for my vacation next week. I wanted to post a few department brands that I came across that are gluten-free. Feel free to share any of your favorites or suggestions. I know there must be more than this list :)

From Lancôme Cosmetics 1/20/09
"Below is a list of our current gluten-free lip products.
Color, Design Color, Fever Shine, Color Fever Lipstick, Le Rouge Absolu, L'Absolu Rouge Color, Fever Gloss, Color Fever, Plumper Juicy Tubes, Le Lipstique, Le Crayon Lip Contour.

From Estee Lauder Cosmetics

"All Estee Lauder lipsticks contain either/or corn and soy with the exception of Signature Hydra Lustre Lipstick which contains wheat, corn and soy."

From Dior Cosmetics

"This is to hereby confirm that none of our lipsticks contain gluten, and they are not manufactured alonside products that would contain it."

Say hello to...Hormel deli meats.

2009-07-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Are you ready for a great tasting sandwich? Hormel Natural Choice offers delicious deli meats. They have no preservatives, no artificial colors or flavors, no MSG and are gluten-free. Definitely sounds like a natural choice to me ;) It's a pain having to frequently ask the deli meat workers which meats are gluten-free, so it's nice to have a healthy, unprocessed selection such as this. My absolute favorite is the honey flavored turkey deli meat. Besides in a sandwich, it also tastes great baked like bacon or cut in cubes for a quick salad.

Say hello to...vanilla icing.

2009-07-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Most icing/frosting recipes call for milk. My husband and I both don't drink milk or cook with milk so I decided to change a very basic icing recipe and use yogurt instead of milk. It works wonderfully and adds a slight different taste.

Ingredients
1/4 cup butter, softened
3 cups confectioner's sugar
1 tsp of vanilla extract
1-2 tbsp of plain stirred yogurt

1. In a medium bowl, cream together butter and sugar with a fork.
2. Add confectioner's sugar and stir together.
3. Add vanilla extract and yogurt, stirring.
4. If needed, add more yogurt for desired consistency.

To make chocolate icing, simply add 2 tbsp of cocoa or carob powder and cream together with butter and sugar.

Say hello to...garbanzo cake recipe edited.

2009-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've been playing around with my garbanzo chocolate cake recipe and want to make a note of a small but important change I've made. The recipe as previously listed was really moist, almost too moist. So I decided to add 1/2 tsp of guar gum and it's much more spongy now. Just how a cake should be :) It has a deliciously nutty taste to it. I also put icing on it the other day, which tasted AMAZING. I will post my delicious vanilla icing recipe on Friday ;)

Say hello to...gluten free lipstick?

2009-07-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

I usually blog about information that I want to share with others, but this time I need your help! I'm in search for a great gluten free lipstick. Have a favorite? Please share with me! I'll be going on holidays in a few weeks and will have loads of lipstick options in the duty free shopping. Until then...I'm in search for which ones are gluten free. In the past I've used Honey Bee Gardens, which has been quiet pleasant. But rather than ordering from the States, I'd rather get something from here, and sooner ;) I look forward to sharing with you mine and others findings :)

Say goodbye to...Starbucks valencia orange cake.

2009-07-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

As quickly as it came, it is now gone :( Although I never did get to try it over here in Seoul, this is sad news for the gluten free Starbucks community. The gluten free moist valencia orange cake that came out in spring, is no longer available at Starbucks. On Twitter, Starbucks said, "We heard that it was too much of a treat, and not a nutritious snack. The @KindSnacks bar is replacing it." Fruit and nut bars definitely don't go with coffee like a moist scrumptious cake does. Not happy with this? Tell Starbucks what you think about this! After all, it was your voice that got us this cake in the first place, right?! Until then, if you feel a craving for this delicious treat and have time on your hands, make your very own valencia orange cake.

For those of you loyal readers, you'll notice I'm not posting a recipe like I normally do on Fridays. This Starbucks news is well in need of being circulated for the celiac community ;)

Say hello to...gluten-free grains quicklist.

2009-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was browsing Mike Eberhart's gluten free blog the other day and came across an interesting article that I wanted to share with those of you who may not be familiary with his blog. He talks about the misconceptions that people have about gluten-free diets and how they often wonder, "WHAT CAN YOU EAT??" after receiving a brief explanation of what we can't eat. Mike goes on to list all different kinds of grains that we CAN eat; a gluten-free grains quicklist:

rice, corn, potato, teff, sorghum, amaranth, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, chia seed, bean flours, squash flours, and spices.

An interesting quote from him: "Whenever i encounter the theme of 'living without' (with regards to living without gluten), I can not help thinking that perhaps it is the rest of the population that is living without--without the variety of grains, flours, and ingredients that one may otherwise never encounter or experience unless essentially 'forced' (by celiac disease, gluten-intolerance, autism, etc) to try all these great alternatives to 'normal' flour. Happy variety-filled baking everyone! ~ Mike Eberhart.

Check out his gluten-free blog, website on gluten-free news, or purchase his gluten free gourmet desserts cookbook.

Say goodbye to...Maple Leaf Top Dogs.

2009-07-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Although I've never purchased Maple Leaf Top Dogs, I thought I'd share some recent updates on changes of ingredients within this product. Maple Leaf Foods recently changed the recipe of its Top Dogs hotdogs to improve flavour and taste. The new formulation now contains wheat gluten instead of soy. Although Top Dogs hotdogs were never a certified gluten-free product, Maple Leaf wanted to notify the Canadian Celiac Association as this product may be referenced by members as a suitable choice. The new recipes will be in stores in July 2009 and feature the updated ingredient list on the package. Please note the list of TopDogs products that have been reformulated: Top Dogs Original, Top Dogs Original BBQ, Top Dogs All Beef, Top Dogs Singles, and Top Dogs 33% Less Fat.

Say hello to...sesame chicken.

2009-07-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

I cook a lot with chicken since red meat is cut differently and often expensive here in Korea. I've posted my 2 favorite chicken recipes already: fragrant chicken and mustard lime chicken. Sesame chicken is my third favorite- it's simple and tastes great.

Ingredients
3/4 brown rice
3 tbsp honey
2 tbsp sesame seeds
2 tbsp gf soy sauce
1 garlic clove, chopped
2 egg whites
1/4 cup cornstarch *
2-3 chicken breasts, cut into cubes
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Handful of broccoli, separated
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Begin cooking the rice.
2. Fill saucepan or pot with 1 inch of water. Put broccoli in it and cook on low for 5-7min.
3. In a small bowl combine honey, sesame seeds, soy sauce, and garlic; set aside.
4. In a large bowl whisk egg whites and cornstarch. Add chicken and season with salt and pepper, toss to coat.
5. In skillet, heat 1 tbsp oil over med/high heat. Add half the chicken, turning occasionally for 8-10min. Repeat with remaining chicken. Return all the chicken to the skillet and add reserved sauce, toss to coat.
6. Serve over with broccoli over brown rice.

*The original recipe called for corn powder, not cornstarch. Although I haven't experimented with other flours yet, I'm sure there's another one that might even work better than cornstarch.

Say hello to...honey nut Chex cereal.

2009-07-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

I previously mentioned how Chex now comes in 5 different gluten-free flavors. I didn't think I'd have the chance to try the new flavors until next year when I'd be in North America. But my friend in Seoul who has access to the grocery store on the american army base recently came across the gluten-free honey nut Chex cereal. Since it just came out in the States in June, I was surprised that it had already made it to the army base grocery store here in Seoul! Lucky me, I have now tasted it, and am completely and utterly satisfied :) I definitely recommend it!

Say hello to...gluten free alcohol.

2009-07-06T07:00:00.000-07:00

There seems to be varied opinions on what alcoholic drinks are gluten free, and which ones aren't. Some people say you can have this or that, and some say you can't. I have to admit that it's pretty confusing. Up until now I've simply stuck to my favorite: white wine, and the occasional mix with Bacardi or Malibu. I recently discovered several websites that have very useful information on gluten free alcoholic drinks. Check them out: Gluten Free Kitchen and Gluten Free Drinks. Hopefully this will make it a lot more clearer on what you can and can't drink.

(Photo taken from BërN's photostream on flickr).

Say hello to...gluten free flour mix.

2009-07-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

I've lived in Seoul for 3 1/2 years now. Whenever I have the chance to travel to a western country, I always try to bring as much gf flour back with me. Or when I know of someone traveling here, I'll get them to bring some. It's worked quiet well, until recently, when I've been trying to experiment with more gf baking. I've suddenly ran all the bags dry ;) Korea does most things quiet different from westerners, and adds wheat flour to most potato starches. Until just last week I hadn't been able to find a gf potato starch. Luckily I was able to find a tapioca starch at a foreign food mart here. So with those two, combined with rice flour, I can now make my very own gf flour! Here's my basic mix, which I'm sure a lot of you are already familiar with:

2 cups rice flour
2/3 cup potato starch
1/3 cup tapioca starch

I've used it for several recipes and am more than content with the simple mix. Please, let me know of your favorite gf flour mixes. I would love to expand from this :) But I might have to wait until I have access to more flours ;)

Say hello to...Celiac Disease 1/100.

2009-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

According to a 45 year study led by Dr. Joseph Murray, celiac disease is four times more common than it was in the 1950's. His study was recently published in Canada's CTV news online article, "Celiac disease four times more common than in '50s" and video clip. His studies show that 1/700 people had celiac disease in the 1950's, wherease now 1/100 people have Celiac Disease. Apparently many people aren't surprised by this change since our diets have also drastically changed in this time. Most people seem to think that the over processed foods and refined sugars are to blame, as shown in the comments proceding the article. Of course non of this is new news to those familiar with celiac disease, however it's good to see an article like this in the 'Top Stories' section of the news. There seems to be an increased awareness of celiac disease through articles like this, through cafes, restaurants, and grocery stores now offering gluten-free foods, and through people like you and me who blog about it. Let's continue to share information!

(Photo taken from cassmolcic's photostream on flickr for a Celiac Disease compaign).

Say hello to...Tridosha Salt of the Sea.

2009-06-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Tridosha Salt of the Sea is a fantastic gourmet blend of salt & pepper and herbs. I discovered it when traveling in Australia and brought some back to Korea. It comes in various blends of herbs, but I have only tried Mediterano. It tastes great sprinkled on chicken, baked potatoes, and roasted veggies. I went through my first bag so fast that I had to get my sister-in-law to mail me some more. Once you try it, I guarantee that you won't want to stop using it. It comes in a trendy looking silver container, or you can buy a re-fill package. Check out there other products too!

Say hello to...baked sweet potato cubes.

2009-06-26T07:00:00.000-07:00

I can't remember ever eating sweet potatoes before I moved to Seoul. But since living here, I've learned how much Koreans love them. You can find fire ovens on the corner of the streets with someone selling baked sweet potatoes. If purchased, they're handed to you in tin foil- with no sauce. After trying one, I realized how delicious they were and decided to make it at home. Instead of baking the whole potato, I cut it into cubes, put some olive oil over it, sprinkle it with Tridosha salt of the sea, and bake them until they are nice and crispy. It takes a while to make them crispy, but is well worth the time! Combine it with one of your favorite chicken dish and a salad.

Say hello to...Gluten Free Pantry chocolate truffle brownie mix.

2009-06-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Two of my friends went back to the States last winter and each brought me back a gf brownie mix. I already bragged and wrote about how great the Trader Joe's gluten-free brownie mix was, and just recently tried the Glutino chocolate truffle brownie mix. It is easily comparable. Rather than substituting all the butter for applesauce like I did in the Trader Joe's gf brownie mix, I used half butter and half apple sauce. It worked wonderfully. To compare the two I would say that Trader Joe's brownie mix is more chewy while the Glutino chocolate truffle brownie mix is more chocolaty, hence the chocolate truffle. I said before that I wasn't a huge brownie fan, but may be on my way to becoming one ;)

Say hello to...Canadian gluten labelling.

2009-06-22T07:00:00.000-07:00

The label can definitely make or break the purchasing deal. If I'm not sure about an ingredient on a label, I definitely won't be buying the product. The States is more than often one step ahead of Canada and has long since changed their labelling laws to include any source of gluten in a product. Slowly, but surely, Canada will get there too. The new Food and Drug Regulations will require any source of gluten (and it's derivatives) to be declared on labels. The companies will have a year to change their labels once the regulations are enforced. Although this is slow in happening, atleast it's going forward and happening :) Check out the article for yourself on Health Canada.

Say hello to...banana bread.

2009-06-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

I absolutely LOVE banana bread. Who doesn't, really?! I brought back F.G Roberts gluten-free self-raising flour from Australia and wondered what I should make with this precious flour. After a few tries, I have finally found a deliciously moist and healthy alternative to most banana breads. If you aren't using a self-raising flour, be sure to add 1 tsp of xanthan gum to help it rise properly (if it's not already included in your gf flour mixture). Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:
4 over-ripe bananas, mashed
2 eggs + 1 egg white
6 tbsp unsweetened apple sauce
2 tbsp plain yogurt
1 tsp gf vanilla extract
1/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 cups gf self-raising flour
dash of salt
Walnuts, crushed (0ptional)

1. Preheat the oven to 350.

2. In a large bowl mash over ripe bananas. Combine eggs, yogurt, vanilla, and apple sauce.

3. In a separate mixing bowl add sugars, baking soda, salt, and flour. Mix until well combined. Slowly combine dry mix to the wet mix. Add crushed walnuts to mixture.

4. Spray glass baking dish with non-stick spray oil. Pour mixture into dish. Bake 40-50min, or until toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

Say hello to...Starbucks valencia orange cake.

2009-06-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

I could hardly believe that Starbucks wanted to make a gluten-free pastry. And now, it has finally happened and everyone's raving about it! Unfortunately I won't be able to try the valencia orange cake for another year (I'll still be in Seoul), but perhaps they'll have even more pastries to offer later! And maybe by then it will arrive at the Starbucks' in Canada :) Until then, those of you not from America can try making your own.

Say hello to...healthy indulgences blog.

2009-06-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

I recently stumbled upon Lauren's Healthy Indulgences blog. I have yet to try her recipes, but my mouth definitely watered as I scrolled down her blog, looking at the pictures and recipes. Her mission is to make health food that doesn't taste like health food. Sound good? I'm sold! Check out her blog. Once I get my hands on a few of her usual ingredients, like coconut and almond flour, I will surely try a recipe :)

Say hello to...fragrant chicken.

2009-06-12T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is one of my all time favorite chicken recipes. The combination of ingredients makes a delicious and fragrant chicken! I usually bake it in the oven but it tastes great on the grill too! I hope you enjoy it as much as I have :)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup cilantro, chopped

2 tsp fresh ginger, grated

3 cloves garlic, chopped

2 tsp lemongrass, chopped

1 chilli, chopped (optional)

2 tsp sesame oil

4 chicken breasts

1. If baking in the oven, preheat the oven to 350. If grilling, start the grill.

2. Spray the bottom of the glass pyrex dish with Pam Original spray oil.

3. Place the chicken breasts in the glass dish, and make a small slit down the center of the chicken.

4. After chopping all the ingredients, combine them together in a bowl. Scoop spoonfuls of the mixture and place it in the slit of the chicken breasts. Spread the remainding mix over the rest of the chicken.

5. Bake until the centers are fully cooked and the top is slightly crispy. Serve with brown rice, roasted potatoes, or over a nice green salad.

Say hello to...Nomu.

2009-06-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

I discovered Nomu Stir pesto when I was visiting Australia in January. Nomu is a South African product that originated in Cape Town. Their natural products add nutritious spice and flavor to your meals. Most of their products are some kind of herb or seasoning spice that can fit various dishes. Nomu products include Rubs, aromatic blends of spices; Grinders, an easy way to grind fresh herbs into your recipes; Dippers, blends of spices ready to be made into a tasty dip; Stir, an instant pesto that just needs olive oil and water; and Nomu Chefs, for all those restaurants that want to use these spices in larger quantities! I look forward to trying more Nomu products once I can get my hands on them!

Say hello to...Envirokidz products.

2009-06-08T07:00:00.000-07:00

Although these products are made for children, I must say I quiet enjoy them mysef! Gluten free and organic, 1% of sales of all Envirokidz products are donated to endangered species, habitat conversation, and environmental education for children. Good food and good causes, why not support such a company?! I'm fortunate to be able to buy the Koala Crisp at organic stores here in Seoul. They're sweet, so goes well with yogurt for a nice evening snack or dessert. Check out their other products too- the banana waffles are also nice and tasty :)