Round-Up!

It's been a busy time for the Shoreline Gluten Free Association! Thank you so much to everyone who attended the holiday event on the 13th - we hope you enjoyed the cookies! Notes from the meeting will be posted shortly. The comments on this meeting were so positive, we will do something similar for Easter. Everyone went home with a huge assortment of cookies and a big smile. Dr. Leffler was very well received; he could easily have stayed all afternoon! Great crowd-- nice to see more than 40 people in attendance.

Restaurant Visits & News
Board on the Run
Our board members are always busy traveling the state to visit local restaurants serving up GF goodies. This week's recap comes from Laurencia:

Sybil and I took an impromptu field trip on Saturday morning to check out The "Natural Food Store" at 374 Main Street Niantic (860.739.9916 Toll Free: 866.242.8016). Located right on the main drag in Niantic with easy on-the-street parking, it appears deceptively small at first glance. Once inside, you realize that it is a fabulous find; one room chock-full of GF goodies including 3 full dedicated freezers. Many product lines that were even new to us! Knowledgeable staff who are willing to special order and are proactive about expanding this segment of their business.

From there we were off to "The Paperback" to celebrate the launch of their GF menu and found the place packed! Russell said that by midday, he had already served 8 tables with the new menu . I had the eggs benedict over a Gillian's muffin which I'm happy to report, rivaled pre-diagnosis brunch fare. Sybil had the vegetable soup and a salad which was wonderful as always.

Hats off to Russell and his on-going effort to continuously please his GF customers!

THE GFRAP MANUALS HAVE ARRIVED (01.02.09) TRAINING WILL START SOON. OUR GOAL IS TO HAVE 3-4 PLACES WITH GLUTEN FREE MENUS IN EACH TOWN. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO VOLUNTEER ON THIS PROJECT, PLEASE LET US KNOW!

More GF Pizza in CT!
Still Riding Pizza (http://www.stillridingpizza.com/) has partnered with local pizzerias and restaurants to serve a real, authentic gluten free pizza to Celiacs and wheat intolerant diners. This product is now being offered at Illiano's in Middletown. (534 Washington Street, Middletown 860-343-9244; & 404 South Main Street Middletown 860-346-5656)
FIELD TRIP ANYONE??? You may also purhcase it on line to enjoy at home. Factory is in Bridgeport, pizzas come in 9 and 12 inch sizes, overnight delivery.

Member Finds!
This week's round-up of GF finds from our members comes from Ellen:

• I read in my latest issue of vegetariantimes.com that they now feature an e-mail subscription for gluten-free recipes, check it out www.vegetariantimes.com/newsletters. I found quite a few yummy recipes for holiday parties. Bon Appetit!
• http://www.engineno6pizza.com/ - Engine 6 in Norwich has gluten free pizza, calzones, lasagna, breadsticks - you need to phone ahead as it takes a little longer. I’ve not been yet but a dear friend of mine and her two celiac sisters and Mom have given it 8 thumbs up!
• http://www.babycakesnyc.com/delivery.html - An amazing resource for special occasions (Kids Birthday’s) and holidays, shipping is a bit expensive but they are absolutely yummy. The blogs testimonies say that Babycakes cupcakes taste just as good as traditional cupcakes and are made with no refined sugar. They use agave for sweetener. Oh happy day!
• http://www.nicolescrackers.com/ - Nicole's Crackers were voted the best in Chicago by Chicago Magazine. Nicole's 15 fabulous flavors include: You Asked For Garlic, Chili Chocolate Day, All This And Martinis Too, and Heaven Is Lavender. Ask about our four gluten-free crackers. We ship all over the world – visit NicolesCrackers.com and order your crackers today. Fromage in Old Saybrook carries the Gluten Free line and they are to die for, the Tomato was absolutely amazing, reminded me of a thin crust pizza crust.

If you try out a member find, let us know what you think by posting a comment!

What want to hear from you!
To be sure that our blog meets your needs, please take a few minutes to complete our user survey. Your feedback will help us to determine how to best support you in all things gluten - free!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=9O6UpgVw8e85_2biVIXCjEsQ_3d_3d

Next Meeting: SATURDAY, JAN. 17, 12 NOON. WESTBROOK LIBRARY DOWNSTAIRS COMMUNITY ROOM. PARK IN BACK OF THE BUILDING!
"Bring Your Own Bowl" - a gluten-free soup luncheon with soup donated by Kettle Cuisine. Bring your bowl and your ears -- as we will also be having a speaker on "Hidden Gluten". Liz Comstock, Manager of Food Works, will be the guest speaker, helping us learn to find the hidden gluten in costmetics, vitamins, and other products. Come and enjoy some soup, bring a salad or dessert to share. We are looking for a source of bread/and or crackers for this luncheon? Any ideas??? RSVP necessary, supplies are limited. Free to members, $5 for walk-ins.

IMPORTANT UPDATE!!! HERE IS A HELPFUL LINK: go to http://www.glutenfreedrugs.com/ and print out the lists of prescription drugs as well as OTC products at Walgreen's and much more. Print out your own copies; we will be discussing hidden gluten in skin care, vitamins, and other products we use every day. All local pharmacies have been contacted and given this (and more) information!

Alex's First Gluten-Free Christmas

[Note: I am absolutely thrilled to be posting the first post from Liz, who is a Board member of the Shoreline Gluten Free Association - and a mother to a 9-year old little girl who was diagnosed with celiac earlier this year. Enjoy! -- Anne]

By Liz
To make up for dropping the ball on Thanksgiving (I forgot to make GF turkey soup and gravy for my 9 year-old daughter to bring to Grammie's for her first GF Thanksgiving Dinner--in my defense I did make a GF Pumpkin Pie!), I have vowed to make gingerbread houses with my girls. It is not enough that I have never made gingerbread houses; now I have to figure out how to make them GF!! But, I love a challenge, so I think I will try this recipe. There are also some recipes for GF cookies included there. I will probably just use white frosting (Duncan Hines is GF) as the glue and skip the caramel thing (I've never even seen a candy thermometer!) I will use a cardboard milk carton on the inside attached by the frosting to make it sturdy. Stop & Shop brand gum drops are GF, as are their chocolate chips, and I will order some Candy Tree licorice online.

I will also be ordering some adorable GF/Celiac Awareness apparel from the website below to give to Alex for Christmas. They are part of the Painter's Kitchen Designs by Karina. Not only does the Gluten-Free Goddess create amazing food and take beautiful photographs, she also produces really cool affordably priced GF/Celiac Awareness clothing. I especially like the "gluten-free princess" hoodie for her, and the "gluten-free kids rock" for me to show my undying support for my little gluten avenger.

And the pièce de résistance for Alex's first gluten-free Christmas…The Girl Gourmet Cupcake Maker by Jakks Pacific, which is available online and in stores. I already ordered this, and I can't wait to give it to my daughter! She saw a commercial for it and said she wanted to get. I replied, "I don't think you will be able to use it-I'm sure it has gluten in it." But it turns out some of the mixes are GF! She was pretty discouraged, and now she will be totally surprised and delighted!

I do hope you all have a Happy & Safe GF Holiday!
Liz

Paperback's Gluten-Free Menu!

Check it out! The breakfast and lunch menu is available and the dinner menu will follow suit soon! This will be the first restaurant to undergo the training necessary to receive official certification as a GIG gluten-free restaurant! One establishment at a time and our beautiful shoreline community will be a mecca not only for antiques, recreation and shopping but gluten-free dining! Chain restaurants like 99 in Cromwell, Outback in New London, Ruby Tuesdays in Waterford already have some gluten-free choices.
Be among the first 25 to pay your dues at the meeting on the 13th and receive a GIG GF dining card and your SGFA membership card! WOW!

Excited about GF Pizza??

There was a news segment on WTNH this evening, which promoted GF pizza and pasta, at Frascati Restaurant and Pizza in Stamford. Here is the article and link to the news clip - enjoy! If you go to check it out, post your comments here and let us all know how it was!

Photo Credit: Flickr

Getting ready for the holidays...

...check out this newly discovered blog, "Be Free for Me". Recent posts include tips for great gravy -- and some warnings about gluten in turkeys. Check them out to great ready for your holiday feasts!

Pesticides Dirty Dozen!

This great post comes from our member, Maria!

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This is a summary of an article by Dr. Gouin at the Hartford Hosp. Wellness Ctr.:

Almost 90% of pesticide exposure found in fruits and veggies is concentrated in a few, well known as the Dirty Dozen, because of the degree of contamination. 90% is a huge amount! They are :

Peaches, Bell peppers, Nectarines, Lettuce, Grapes, Spinach, Apples, Celery, Strawberries, Cherries, Pears, and Potatoes.

Other fruits and veggies are less apt to retain the chemicals or are protected by their skins.

By selecting organic varieties instead of the highly contaminated Dirty Dozen, you substantially reduce exposure to harmful chemicals and help to detox them from your system.

EAT WELL AND FEEL GOOD!!

Maria

SHORELINE GLUTEN-FREE ASSOCIATION AUTUMN- 2008-- NEWSLETTER

Only two months in existence and already we have 60 people on the mailing list, 27 came to our second meeting, and 12 people are the first to pay dues, becoming Charter Members. All members who pay dues by December 13, become a CHARTER MEMBER and will be entitled to certain privileges such as free admission to our first program with a nationally-known speaker!

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13, 2008, 2-4 PM,
“NOT JUST A HOLIDAY COOKIE SWAP”
WESTBROOK LIBRARY, GOODSPEED DRIVE, WESTBROOK, CT.

SPEAKER:Dr. Dan Leffler, nationally known researcher with the Celiac Research Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA.

WATCH your email for further information.

• DUES: $10.00 PER YEAR FOR INDIVIDUALS, $15.00 PER FAMILY. YOU WILL BE PAID THROUGH DECEMBER, 2009. PLEASE SEND CHECKS, MADE OUT TO “SGFA”, c/o SYBIL NASSAU, 25 HUNTERS RIDGE, WESTBROOK, CT 06498.
• GIG NEWS: We are now a branch of a national organization which will allow us to be a 501c3 organization and therefore able to accept donations from individuals and corporations. The group we have chosen to join us the Gluten Intolerance Group—check out their website for further information. (www.gluten.net). Members do NOT have to join. We are the only GIG branch in CT.!!

Thank you to everyone that brought a dish to share for our first SAFE POT LUCK SUPPER! It was an enormous success, not to mention all the dessert goodies donated by various vendors. We will have more at the next meeting! We are also grateful to Aleia’s for the pizza and stuffing that we enjoyed along with turkey, pork roast, salads, and lots of yummy dishes!

HAVE A WONDERFUL, HEALTHY AND GLUTEN-FREE THANKSGIVING!

GF Menus in Local Schools

ATTENTION CELIACS! Check out www.celiac.com and scroll down to the article about "Gluten-Free Menus in Schools- A Worthwhile Food Fight"; excellent information for frustrated parents fighting school lunch programs. Within that article, check out www.thesavvyceliac.com for an interesting blog. You might find it very interesting.

GF Shopping Update

SHOPPING NEWS! Super Walmart in Waterford DOES have a very small gluten-free section in Aisle 8, between "frostings and cooking oil"-- but don't break your neck to get there! The selection is very small: some organic canned goods; Pamela's Baking Mix, the small bag for $6.12; some of Bob's Red Mill flours and mixes but not a lot and at the same prices as Job Lot. It IS a start, however. Further, Stop & Shop is now carrying a line of frozen entrees under the label "Gluten Free Cafe". There are several varieties selling for about $4.00 for an 8 or 9 oz portion; they would make a good lunch or a light supper. Although my lemon basil chicken was sorely lacking in chicken(!), it tasted delicious, and I've heard good things about the other varieties as well. Sta.y tuned, we will have more shopping news very soon!

Meeting Minutes, Oct. 16, 2008

SGFA NOTES FROM FIRST MEETING

Date: October 16, 2008
Host: Ellen Wasyl of Old Saybrook provided us with a wide selection of delicious gluten-free foods.

Welcome & Introduction by Sybil Nassau, founder of the SGFA, outlined the evening’s activities, including:

Registration: Registration forms will be available at each meeting so we have accurate information on everyone. We are open to anyone that follows a gluten-free diet (celiac, gluten intolerant, wheat allergy) or a caregiver of someone with that lifestyle. Meetings will be once a month, more or less, dependent on special activities. Dues will be $10/year or $1/meeting, plus activities and/or materials when necessary.

Anyone with any additional allergies (nuts, lactose, etc.), should identify those allergies on the registration slip, and it was noted that anything anyone brings, please be sure to label ingredients.

There is a need in this shoreline area, for increased awareness with those with celiac disease or on a gluten-free diet. The purpose of the group is to communicate between ourselves and to the community about this disease, and to help everyone understand the challenges it brings to everyday life.

Mission of the association is to communicate with each other and with the community to increase the awareness of the gluten-free lifestyle and its challenges. We should educate our local communities, the restaurants, increasing our profile in a positive way.
-To educate our local community about gluten awareness
-To help individuals with the challenges of living a gluten-free life that is healthy and happy.
-To provide our members with a positive environment for sharing information
-To collectively influence compassionate changes in our community.

Area residents are welcome to join. Meetings are presently being help monthly. Let us know how best we can help YOU!

SGFA Mission Statement

SGFA- MISSION STATEMENT

Reason for which the SGFA has come into existence:
OUR OBJECTIVE is to provide local area shoreline residents who are living a Gluten Free lifestyle and/or are caregivers for those living Gluten Free with a central resource and supportive network; one that is rich with resources and opportunities to exchange information and collectively influence positive change in our communities, in order to lead a healthier and happier way of life.

Products & Services:
The SGFA will primarily focus on networking opportunities via monthly meetings and special events to offer the following services:

• Cooking demonstrations & recipe exchanges
• Product education & food tasting’s
• Guest Speakers: dietitians, nutritionists, doctors
• Bulk Product Purchasing through the local Food Works in Old Saybrook, CT
• Information Exchange: Up-to-date information, medical news, recommended reading, Websites, etc.
• Restaurant Reviews and Travel information

Members/Affiliates:
Any/all individuals at all levels of experience who wish to learn more about Celiac or Gluten Intolerance or those who are already practicing or supporting a Gluten Free lifestyle; Celiac, Gluten-Intolerant, Autism and/or other Auto Immune Gluten sensitive diets, Caregivers and retailers w/in our community; all are welcome to join the SGFA.

Markets:
Our primary geographic focus is along the CT Shoreline from New Haven to Mystic with a concentrated focus in the Old Saybrook/Essex/Westbrook communities.

Technology:
We will utilize the Internet to communicate contemporary information about the SGFA including meetings, hot topics, recipes, links to other websites and blogs for our members to stay up to date on the most current information.

Concern for Survival, growth & profitability:
We are committed to our objectives and will look to our members to make the same commitments for sustainability and growth. Our current marketing efforts have capitalized on local area newspaper articles and flyers posted at supporting retailers. In the near future, we’ll also utilize our Website to reach out to a larger community and solicit retailer advertisement and Corporate Sponsorship.

Philosophy:
Our Philosophy is simple; we endeavor to provide a supportive forum in which to share up–to-date information and available resources in a positive atmosphere. Our goal is to keep it light, make it enjoyable, have fun, and live healthy.

EGGS UP GRILL - GLUTEN FREE MENU

SPECIAL FROM HARTFORD COURANT, 10/23/08, PORTLAND RESTAURANT HAS GLUTEN-FREE PANCAKES, FRENCH TOAST AND MUFFINS FOR YOUR BREAKFAST PLEASURE.

EGGS UP GRILL, Rt. 66, Portland, CT, prices are very moderate, food looks yummy, read the review for more.

Upcoming Events and New Links!

Our next meeting of the SGFA will be on Thurs. Nov. 13, at 6:00 pm at the Action Public Library in Old Saybrook. The meeting will be a SAFE POT LUCK SUPPER, in the 2nd floor meeting room. Information and directions will follow in an email within two weeks. Reservations will be necessary.

One of our members, Mary Lawrence from www.wellonwheels.com, passed on these events that may be of interest:

NBC30 Health & Wellness Expo – Connecticut Convention Center, 100 Columbus Blvd., Hartford, CT
Sunday, October 26 11:00 a.m.
Don't miss the 2008 NBC 30 Health & Wellness Festival, Oct. 25 and 26 at the CT Convention Center. I will be giving a gluten-free vegan cooking demonstration on Seasonal Soups and Stews at 11:00 on Sunday, October 26. The event will feature free health screenings, demonstrations and activities for the whole family. Last year more than 22,000 attended the event, and this year promises to be even bigger and better!

Quick, Raw and Delicious Vegan Treats – Shoreline Center for Wholistic Health, 35 Boston Street, Guilford, CT
Sunday, November 1, 4:00 p.m.
Had enough of Halloween candy? This mini workshop will give you a flavor of how to make quick and healthy raw vegan treats that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Visit the Shoreline Center for more information.

Other sites/events of interest:

www.naturesgrocervernon.com-- is a gluten-free onsite bakery located in Vernon off I-84.

Might be worth the trip for fresh bread and pastries- do a car pool!!!

www.thymeandseasonnaturalnarket.com- located in Hamden on Whalley Ave., this store is dedicated to gluten-free, natural/organic foods, and has a huge selection. They have a couple of coming events that look worthwhile: a tasting jamboree Sat. Oct 25 (anyone to carpool??) and a special lecture on Celiac diseases on Thurs. Nov. 6, by Dr. Amanda Leavitt, a Naturapathic physician.

There will be another exciting raffle at the November 13th event -- RSVP to Sybil if you are able to join us!

What's on it's way...

The first meeting of the Shoreline Gluten Free Association is this coming Thursday, October 16th. If you are interested in attending, contact us at shoreglutenfree AT sbcglobal.net. The group will be posting the following to this website:

• Meeting notices and materials
• More information about our organization
• Links to our favorite GF websites
• Safe Restaurants
• Favorite GF Recipes and Answers to Cooking Questions
  
• Medical Advice from a local celiac specialist
  

If you would like to be an author for our site, contact us at the email above!

Welcome to the home of the Shoreline Gluten Free Association!

We are just getting started but come back to see what we are up to!