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!
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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!