Gluten Free At Subway

Yup it's true! Subway has gone "gluten free"....by offering a sealed gluten free "bread" upon which to serve their sandwich toppings. Now I've not yet had the chance to research just precisely which
"toppings" are also gluten free, but at least the fact that they are carrying GLUTEN FREE sandwich bread is a HUGE step in the right direction for those of us who choose, or must choose to observe a gluten free diet.

For more details...go directly to their website Subway.


Way to go Subway! We applaud you!

May many more fast food companies follow your example and offer healthy GLUTEN FREE options!

Peaceful productivity,
C.

Buy my new book Life in the Gluten Free Zone on Amazon today!
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Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for conversational purposes only. The blog's author and publisher does not accept any liability for any of the ideas discussed in this post or any other post on this blog. Always obtain medical advice from a licensed medical practitioner.

Best Gluten Free Margarine

Always on the hunt, my friends for more gluten free foods that are affordable and tasty.
So today's winner for gluten free margarine is.....drum rolll.......

Mirage Margarine by Golden Gate. The local bakery where I buy it charges less than $3 per tub, so that's even better!

Here's their company website for photos and recipes.

Mirage

Give it a try...it's creamy and easy to use on gluten free toast and crackers and performs well for cooking/stir frying too.
Let me know if you like it too.

By the way, if you really don't like the thought of buying margarine that has a long-ish list of ingredients than consider the simple answer.....go back to butter...it's always gluten free ")


Peace,
Carla

Buy my new book Life in the Gluten Free Zone on Amazon today!
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Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for conversational purposes only. The blog's author and publisher does not accept any liability for any of the ideas discussed in this post or any other post on this blog. Always obtain medical advice from a licensed medical practitioner.

Is Gluten Free Fast Food an Oxymoron?

It's coming...whether you are ready or not....the GLUTEN FREE apocalypse...
Ok, ok, I'm being rather dramatic....but in all seriousness, if you or someone you love is working in the food industry and has not accommodated the GLUTEN FREE market...
....then a dramatic U-TURN is required.

Gluten FREE foods are not only a legitimate food category, it is now becoming a MASSIVE GROWTH opportunity to build up market share for those who DO NOT have a MEDICAL reason for eating a gluten free diet.
Are you shocked???

You shouldn't be. More books and research has been done lately on the benefits for
"REGULAR" consumers to adopt a gluten free diet because it simply
MAKES THEM FEEL BETTER!

Why? Gluten is a complex "hard to digest" molecule that even "regular" folks can have a hard time digesting.
Therefore, when  ANYONE adopts a gluten free diet, they may begin to notice changes and improvements on many levels of human functioning.

 These improvements may include:

• less mood swings
• more emotional stability
• more energy
• Less abdominal bloating, and gas 
• more predictable digestion and elimination
• less constipation
• improvements in complexion of the skin

Need I go on ? But don't take my ideas as truth....just try it for yourself and see what your results  may be.....
Only YOU can discover if a GLUTEN free diet can help you live better.

Let me know how gluten free food makes you feel in the comments below


Peacefully yours,
Carla

Buy my new book Life in the Gluten Free Zone on Amazon today!


Disclaimer: This blog is not intended as medical advice. The author and publisher of this blog does not accept any legal responsibility or liability for any of the ideas discussed in this blog post or any other post on this blog. Medical advice should always be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner.


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Check out M&M's Gluten Free Items!

Twas a great relief to discover this summer that all of my favourite beef burgers selling at 
M&M Meat shops were ALL GLUTEN FREE!

It seems that they have extended themselves to cater to those who want to observe a gluten free lifestyle and I couldn't be more delighted!

Check out their website : M&M

Peace and Bon Appetito,

Carla.

Thx for buying my new book Life in the Gluten Free Zone on Amazon today!

Why Living GLuten FREE still STINKS

It's not that the "gluten free" movement isn't gaining momentum.....it is. It's not that manufacturers are not listening....they are.....at least more than they used to.


It's just that the "frustration factor" is still there.....in full swing.

Gluten free items are not clearly displayed on most menu's. The gluten free products are still awkwardly displayed and located in weird "hard to find" spots in some grocery stores.
 Walmart is the only store I've found with an OBVIOUS and easy to locate "gluten free section".

When you eat out......You still have to make a point to ask your wait staff or server which items are officially gluten free. Some servers still don't know if the gravy that their restaurant serves up contains wheat flour or if it has been thickened with corn starch. These kinda things really matter to someone who is attempting to live "gluten free".

For some, the choice to live gluten free, was not really a choice, but a rather stern and intimidating instruction obtained directly from their doctor.  But whether you're choosing to eat gluten free by your own free will, or by doctor's orders, it still is REALLY HARD.

It's been several years now since I was advised that I was "gluten intolerant"....and I have still not met anyone who has confidently stated that it is an EASY lifestyle....because it just isn't.
Gluten is lurking in SOOOO many foods and snack foods. The detailed labeling of ingredients is really helpful....but hey we are HUMAN too, and we really don't want to spend long and precious hours every day of the week reading teeny tiny lists of ingredients just to ensure that we don't ingest any gluten.

It's gotta get easier. Perhaps they will start making GLUTEN FREE EMPORIUMS where folks have to leave their gluten at the door and they enter a gluten free commercial paradise.
To top it all off......all the products in this GLUTEN FREE HEAVEN, would not only be gluten free, but also priced under $5 per item. Wouldn't that rock????

NOT peacefully gluten free,
Carla


Ok, I'm pretty much done my rant now. But tommorrow's another day.
P.S. Perhaps I'm still ticked off that Tim Horton's cancelled their one gluten free doughy concoction called the "coconut macaroon"...   :(

Thanks for buying my new book Life in the Gluten Free Zone on Amazon today!


Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for conversational purposes only. The blog's author and publisher does not accept any liability for any of the ideas discussed in this post or any other post on this blog. Always obtain medical advice from a licensed medical practitioner.

Yum... Breton Gluten Free Crackers from Walmart

Came across this precious brand of crackers labelled "NEW" in bright red letters.

Since, I'm currently gluten intolerant, I am always on the lookout for affordable gluten free snacks.

So Breton and Walmart have scored another brownie point in my book with this delish treat.

The particular box I bought at Walmart was called  "Breton Gluten Free--Original with Flax". The box even has a convincing looking blue seal of approval from the Canadian Celiac Association.
The only noticeable difference was when I noted that the boxes of crackers that contained wheat/gluten were longer and therefore had more crackers in them compared to the gluten free boxes which were being sold for the same price at 135 grams.

But I'll not complain about the shorter box, because the crackers were delightful, crispy and flaky and hearty all at once. If every gluten free adventure I have is as easy as this was, then I'm onto a good roll.

Peace and wellness in your gluten free quest.

Carla

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Yes, Fries from McDonald's in Canada Are Wheat Free

It seems like folks are hesitant to assign a "gluten free" label onto certain products, by the slim chance that something containing gluten bumps into that menu item while it is being prepared in restaurants. So I suppose the general idea is "Consumers beware and dine at your own risk".

If you are trying to live a gluten free lifestyle there are a limited number of choices for you if you are going to eat at fast food places in Ontario Canada. Almost every popular food item comes wrapped in a bun or wrap that has been made from wheat. Therefore, to find gluten free items, you usually have to select items that are not one of their mainstream popular meals.

One great exception is Wendy's which serves a great little gluten free snack known as their
"chili cheese nacho" dish. But again, if you have any other ingredients that you are allergic or sensitive to, you are going to want to do your own research. Call the toll free numbers for the places that you want to eat and see what you can find out. Don't be afraid to let your needs be known. The more requests that fast food places receive for gluten free foods, the more likely they are to carry more gluten free menu items.

As of my last conversation with McDonald's in Canada, it appears that there are currently at least three items that do not contain wheat which are the following:
French Fries
Chocolate sundaes
Hot Caramel Sundaes

If you want to find out more and do your own research....just check out their website:
McDonalds has a menu on their website called the "Nutrition Center" which has PDF files you can download to find out the precise ingredients of each menu item. Their website is located on the web at:

McDonalds Canada

Wendy's has a Section called Nutrition Landing which can be found at the following website:

Wendy's

Remember that restaurants don't want to accept the liability for guaranteeing that their foods are 100% gluten free, because they know that a mistake could be very costly. Use your licensed medical practitioner's advice in selecting the best and most nutritious foods. Also be aware that ingredient lists can change at a moment's notice, so be sure to check regularly to see if your favorite fast food outlet has changed the ingredients of your favorite foods. They will provide you with the ingredient lists if you request it.

Be bold yet courteous and may your food sensitivities or allergies not hinder you from living a full and abundant life.

Peace,
Carla

Btw, thanks for buying my new book Life in the Gluten Free Zone on Amazon today!




Disclaimer: This blog is intended for conversational purposes only. This blog is not intended to provide any medical or health advice. All medical and health related advice should be obtained from a licensed medical practitioner. The author of this blog as well as the publisher accepts no liability for any of the ideas discussed in this blog post as well as any other blog posts contained within this blog.

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Living Gluten Free in Canada

Just wanted to chat today about what it's like to try to live gluten free in Canada. I'd appreciate it if you add your feedback. It is a national discussion....one whose parameters are expanding across many nation's lines and into mainstream culinary logistics.

All the best chefs are now very much aware that if they prepare some of their specialty dishes, that their guests may very well insist upon being served a gluten free rendition of their specialty. For all those in the culinary arts, it will pay off to be prepared in advance to serve your gluten-avoiding customers. Some customers will fall into the "gluten intolerant" category, which for me, means that consuming foods or beverages that contain gluten can cause digestive pain and discomfort but is not life threatening. But then there are the official "Celiacs" for whom the issue is a lot more crucial and can be life threatening.

If you are forming a restaurant of any kind or even a coffee shop, it will be in your best interests to have something completely sealed off and separate from your regular gluten containing menu items. Speaking from experience, I would rather eat something gluten free that has been commercially sealed in plastic and
is guaranteed to be gluten free, than something that folks "hope" is gluten free.

So what is it like to chase down a gluten free lifestyle in your home country? do you find it difficult....or inconvenient or embarrassing or too expensive?
I have found it to be all those things and more. But it is something that I have to deal with, and has become a part of my daily routine.

I do with that more fast food outlets had more gluten free menu items, as I am often on the go and don't want to have to sift through hundreds of choices before finally finding something that is gluten free. In Canada, Tim Hortons sells a great bowl of chili, that is gluten free. But sadly, Tim Hortons has discontinued selling the coconut macaroons that were their "claim to fame" in the gluten free world. Alas, not everyone likes coconut I presume.

I'm still waiting for KFC to produce a gluten free fried chicken option. Do you think my wish will come true?
Do tell!

Talk to you soon.
Carla

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Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for conversational purposes only. The blog's author and publisher does not accept any liability for any of the ideas discussed in this post or any other post on this blog. Always obtain medical advice from a licensed medical practitioner.

Almost Like a Double Fudge Cookie

So, in the world of "Gluten Free" ya gotta give credit when one particular gluten free item does a pretty good imitation of the "real thing". So, today I bring you the "KinniToos Fudge Sandwich Creme cookie.
I bought the package at the Bulk Barn for just under 5 dollars. Now there is a bit of a gritty texture, which unfortunately is quite common for gluten free products, however, the pleasure is to be had certainly if you are someone who likes to dunk their cookies in their coffee or tea. These Kinni Toos Fudge Sandwich Creme cookies dunk superbly and taste about as close to a "normal" cookie as a GF cookie can get. ( by the way, these cookies are also Dairy Free, Lactose free, Casein Free, Peanut free, and Tree Nut free!)
Enjoy:)
Good Job Kinnikinnick Foods...keep em coming!
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Gluten Free at the Mandarin

And so my quest for all things gluten free led me to contact the Mandarin buffet restaurant head office in order to determine their perspective on the foods they offer at their buffet restaurants in Canada. I received a very friendly and helpful response which I will share with you below:

Thank you for your e-mail regarding our gluten free items. It is very difficult for me to answer your question as we do not have a detailed ingredient list available for our buffet items. There are many items that may contain gluten.

It may be helpful to let you know that we use canola oil when preparing most of our dishes. We also use corn starch in many of our soups and stir fries. Chicken base is also used in most of our hot buffet dishes and stir fries, and as far as I know, it is not gluten free. Our Garden Salad is prepared without dressing (You must select your own dressing for the salad), and our grilled items are marinated before they are cooked. Our Soy Sauce is not gluten free. Also, to my knowledge, our plain Steamed Rice and Peel and Eat Shrimp should not contain gluten.

We do have an à-la-carte menu available as an alternative to the buffet. Simply ask your hostess or server for our menu upon being seated. Our chefs may be willing to prepare a dish without chicken base or other ingredients containing gluten at your request. However, please be advised that it is almost impossible to say that any dish is gluten-free because there is a high risk of cross-contamination in our restaurants.

I hope that this information will help you, if you choose to dine at Mandarin. Thank you for contacting us with your question.

Sincerely,

Mandarin Restaurant Franchise Corporation

8 Clipper Court, Brampton ON L6W 4T9

T 905-451-4100

F 905-456-3411

E info@mandarinrestaurant.com

www.mandarinrestaurant.com

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More GLUTEN FREE "ON THE GO!"

Just because I am gluten intolerant doesn't mean I am going to sit indoors bemoaning the days when I could quickly grab a hamburger at any fast food joint on the go....No way! I refuse to feel sorry for myself or restrict my lifestyle in any way in order to accommodate my attempt to live a "gluten free" life.
Now mind you, I am not so severely affected by gluten that I have the same symptoms as an official celiac, however the symptoms are still painful and an absolute inconvenience.

Therefore, since I refuse to sit still or slow down, I have been trying to find fast places that will provide me with the gluten free snacks that I can grab and go. I am not a professional 'brown bagger" and therefore prefer to have my lunch or snacks prepared by someone else.

Hence the importance of FAST gluten free food made available to me at a reasonable price is ESSENTIAL. Therefore I have become somewhat of a gluten free detective of sorts, sniffing out
all worthy gluten free snacks available at major chain fast food outlets.

So last week I discovered the following: The biscotti at Second Cup is gluten free!
The snack bars labelled "KIND'" in colorful colors at Starbucks are gluten free! Wooohoo!
Be sure to double check and do your homework. "Ingredient lists can change at the drop of a hat, and you are therefore highly encouraged to always ask before you start eating something that you have assumed to be gluten free.
This is especially important if you get really strong symptoms and painful experiences from ingesting
even the smallest amounts of gluten.

You can get more information about living gluten free from the following website.http://www.celiac.ca/

Always double check with your doctor before making medical decisions that involve your gluten intolerance or sensitivity or allergy to gluten. It is very important that you don't try to diagnose yourself, but get the support and professional advice you need from licensed medical and nutritional professionals.

God bless you with reliable information and the steps to move forward to good things.
C.

Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to provide or replace medical advice in any way. This blog and it's author do not accept any liability for any ideas obtained from this blog. This blog is intended for conversation purposes only to provide inspiration and empowerment by linking people to resources and like-minded people. Always see a licensed medical doctor for professional advice and treatment.



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Gluten Free at Dairy Queen

I received a very polite and helpful response from Dairy Queen headquarters in Canada in response to my
request for any gluten free items in their menu. Find pasted below the letter they sent to me:

Dear Ms. ,

Thank you for contacting Dairy Queen Canada Inc. with your request for
gluten information.

We know dealing with gluten intolerance can be very difficult and Dairy
Queen would like to help you enjoy your favorite DQ® treats while still
following a safe diet. We hope the following information will be of
assistance to you. If you are looking for something other than the
products listed, please check out our nutrition calculator at one of the
links below.

http://dairyqueen.com/ca-en/eats-and-treats/nutrition-calculator/
or
http://dairyqueen.com/ca-fr/eats-and-treats/nutrition-calculator/

Our nutrition calculator offers nutrition, ingredients, and allergen
information for approved menu items within the DQ system. The nutrition
calculator is updated on an on-going basis with the newest information on
products and promotions, as we strive to provide the most accurate,
up-to-date information.

We are happy to inform you that the following DQ products do not contain
gluten:

• Vanilla and chocolate soft serve
• Arctic Rush® slush (all flavors)
• These toppings for Shakes and Sundaes: Chocolate, Caramel, Hot Fudge,
Marshmallow, and Strawberry
• MooLatté® frozen blended coffee drinks in vanilla or mocha without
whipped topping
• These manufactured novelties: DQ Fudge Bar and DQ Vanilla Orange Bar
• These Blizzard® Treat Flavors: Reese’s® Peanut Butter Cup, Banana Split,
Skor and Strawberry (note that Blizzard cakes often have additional
ingredients and Blizzard cakes made with these flavors may contain
gluten )
• From our food line, I would recommend trying a plain original or
GrillBurger™ hamburger patty, grilled chicken patty, or hot dog, prepared
without a bun.

Many of our Blizzard candies and toppings contain wheat, rye, oats, and/or
barley that would not be safe for a customer with gluten intolerance.
Please note that the Blizzard mixing machine is used for all flavors and
so cross-contact may occur on any Blizzard flavor treat. As DQ stores and
restaurants are very busy, there is always a chance of cross contact of
gluten in any DQ product.

For your safety, we recommend you notify the staff at the DQ location of
your allergy or intolerance before placing your order and request they
thoroughly clean the Blizzard machine before blending your Blizzard to
reduce the risk of cross-contact.

Additionally, please double check all of this information regarding food
and treats with your local restaurant.

Once again, thank you for taking the time to contact us. We hope the
information we have supplied will be helpful to you!

Kind regards,



Dairy Queen Customer Feedback Program
Dairy Queen Canada

More Gluten Free snacks

Ok, you asked for it... more gluten free food choices.
I discovered KIND snack bars at a health food store in a tiny town.
They actually don't disappoint. Give one a try if you are trying
to reduce or eliminate gluten from your diet.
If my memory serves correctly, I believe i have seen these kind of "KIND" snack bars
at a Starbucks shop.
Bon appetito folks!   The more often you ask for gluten free products, the more often retailers and restaurant developers will start filling in that niche market for gluten free foods.
Ask your fave stores and restaurants to start carrying them.....

http://www.kindsnacks.com/

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