Blink....summer's over and the chill of fall is in the air! Our September SGFA Round-Up is long over due - so take a look at these updates and we hope to see you at one of our many events this fall! Without further ado....
Upcoming SGFA Events
- September 26th - SGFA Meeting at 12PM at the Westbrook Library, with Guest Speaker, Kim Snow, Owner of Aleia's; please RSVP by emailing our new secretary at lunajake AT yahoo.com.
- Stay tuned for details on the rest of our fall events:
- October 17th - Mystery Luncheon: A gluten-free lunch extravaganza at a surprise local restaurant!
- November 14th - A Taste of Gluten-Free in CT and Beyond! Come and taste them all at the Westbrook Firehouse. Gluten free vendors from around CT and beyond will be bring their products for you to taste!
- December 12th - GF Holiday Cookie Swap: The very popular, kid-friendly, SGFA cookie swap at the Westbrook Library - yummy!
- Bell' Amici in Guilford - Currently offering a in a gluten free menu -- and here is link to a coupon too!
- Chain Restaurants with Gluten Free Menus - This is a nice article with links to the set of chain restaurants that have developed a gluten-free menu. A few surprises like Olive Garden!? :-) I would be interested in hearing if any of you have tried these and what your experience was like! Post a comment below...
- Paperback Cafe - There was a wonderful article on Russ and the Paperback Cafe in the Day in mid-August - here is the link if you missed it. Also includes his recipe for GF Chicken Parm!
One of members, Kristin, traveled to Italy this summer - and had this to report!
Last month I traveled to Italy...where it was unbelievably easy for me to eat! Almost every restaurant I walked into had gluten-free pasta on hand...in Rome as well as smaller cities. One night, I ordered gelato and was surprised to see that the person helping me washed his scoop and took out a fresh bin of gelato for me...without my even asking! It was really refreshing to see how Celiacs are treated in other countries...I hope we catch up here soon!
It took me a while to figure out, but all the gluten-free products are sold in the pharmacy! Schar has quite a number of excellent products in Europe (ciabatta breads, chocolate croissants, focaccia, baguettes, etc) that they apparently don't sell/ship here because they are perishable. There is also another great brand that I encountered in Europe called "Galbusera," which had amazing crackers and cookies. If you are interested, below are two sites that carry some of the products I found:
- http://www.glutenfreemall.com/catalog/schar-schaer-m-110.html?gclid=CPrY-8fFspwCFRBM5QodsBuyog
- http://www.quattrobimbi.com/cookies.aspx
Product Suggestions
- Are you longing for good GF at pizza at home? That is BRILLIANT? Run to Foodworks in Old Saybrook and pick an Against the Grain pizza crust...I will never go back to any other pre-made pizza crust at home. Crunchy crust, yet chewy too...can withstand a good amount of sauce. Lovely! Try it now!
- Are you also looking for a hamburger/sandwich roll that won't break the bank? Try The Grainless Baker Buns (also sold at Foodworks)! You get 6 rolls for under $6! And they are good! Give them a try and let me know what you think!
- Article in Scientific American on Celiac Disease
- Article in the New Haven Register about the challenges of being undiagnosed
- Worried about the expense of eating GF? This article in the NY Times is chock full of tips for staying healthy and not breaking the bank. Thanks Lea!
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1 comment:
There is lots news to report on the restaurant front as far as gf dining. As the branch mnanager of SGFA and official GFRAP trainer for this area, I am especially on the lookout for both great places to eat as well as problems. As far as OLIVE GARDEN, they do have a gf menu which consists of either salmon or steak with veggies. With the house salad it's a good meal, nicely served, not cheap. Neither potatoes nor rice are available but the portion is large and tasty. SHORELINE DINER (Vegetarian enclave) in Guilford, CT will soon have the GFRAP certification and it's a great place to eat. There is a full gf menu, just ask for it. Kitchen and wait staff have been trained. The owner, Nick Anthis is opening another place in West Haven called GEORGE'S which will also have a gf menu. Here's a couple to be careful about: newly-opened LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE (Waterford, CT), while they do have a gf menu (it is a nationwide chain), the staff has not yet been adequately trained. BURTON'S GRILL in South Windsor, CT, a Boston eatery well-known for their gf menu, has a whole new staff not yet trained. On the other hand, be assured of having a great meal at places like WESTBROOK LOBSTER(Westbrook CT) or BLUE CRAB (Old Saybrook, CT)IF you choose carefully and question the staff as to preparation. Many places are becoming very sensitive to food allergies and will do everything to provide you with a good meal. Finally, JOHNNY AD'S, an Old Saybrook landmark, has 4 dedicated fryers and you MAY safely eat the french fries there. If, upon questioning staff or looking at the menu,you feel uncomfortable, GET UP AND LEAVE! YOU are in charge, you have choices! Many local family-owned places are making efforts to be customer -friendly, so ASK! (See the note about Belle Amici in Guilford, CT).
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