July SGFA Round-Up

Happy Summer!

Restaurant Updates

• Grand Apizza Shoreline: Located at 9 East Main Street in Clinton, Grand Apizza is now offering Still Riding GF pizza and GF beer. Call 860-669-1204 for more information - Thanks to Sue for passing this on!
• Wendy's Update and Report: One of our members recently went to Wendy's and had this story to share: "We ordered fries. At the bottom of my fries was a breaded chicken piece. So much for gluten free! Eric went to the Wendy's website to send off an e-mail to Customer Service. That's when we found out about their fries and their new disclaimer as of June, 2009." You can view the new GF list for Wendy's here. Thanks to Eric and Claudia for letting us know!

• PF Changs Bistro: Have you checked this out yet? I had a great GF meal at the PF Changs in Stamford on our way to New Jersey this past week. The menu is full of tasty options! I had the lettuce wraps (messy but tasty), the fried rice (good, needed a little more GF soy sauce (which they gave me!!)), and the spicy chicken (which was the closest thing the General Tsao's chicken that I have had in years!).... overall, a great GF experience! If you've tried it out, let us know how it was for you!
  
• Are you traveling to Boston? Check out Nebo and report back! The owners wrote to Sybil and I and shared their story: "Nebo is a traditional Italian restaurant offering dishes based on recipes that were passed down from our mother and grandmother. After being open for about a year, two of our closest friends were told they had Celiac disease. We then realized just how many people this disease has affected and the need for an alternative for their dining restrictions. Determined to serve our friends their favorites, we set upon making our menu available in a gluten free form. We are thrilled to say that we have now produced 90% of our menu with the same great taste as our regular menu. We don't think there has been an accomplishment that has brought us more pleasure." They offer GF pasta and pizza....but we haven't tried it yet! Have you?

Product Updates and News

• Grandma's Goodies: These tasty delights are now available at Foodworks in Old Saybrook. From italian bread to banana bread to muffins to cookie, it all looks good! (The banana bread is fantastic!) One member shared, "It is the first Gluten Free product a non-GF person could like. I was really impressed." Check it out!
• Missing Oreos?: According to Beth Hilson, these are the closest product to actually Oreos - I haven't tried them yet! Have you? Let us know how they are...
• It's Summer...nothing like a cold beer!: Lea passed on this article on GF beers...CHEERS!
• Betty Crocker GF Baking Mixes: Now available on Amazon!
  

New & Interesting Information

• ABC News Story on Celiac: Passed on by one of our members, the article talks about one woman's struggle with Celiac. It also includes a good string of articles and a great new magazine (Delight Magazine) referenced within the article which has a nice website! Looks interesting...
• Tax Deduction for Gluten-Free Foods as a Medical Expense: This is from one of our members, Laura, thanks for letting us know! You may deduct the cost of gluten-free products that are in excess of the cost of the gluten containing product that you are replacing. Special items are completely tax deductible. An example would be xantham gum, a product used in gluten free baking recipes. Xanthum gum is completely different than any ingredient used in an ordinary recipe. And as we all know, xanthum gum ain’t cheap! If you make a special trip to a specialty store to purchase gluten free foods, the actual cost of the trip to and from the store is deductible. If you are using your vehicle for the trip, you may deduct a certain amount per mile each way you travel. To find out the most up to date rates for mileage deductions, visit The Celiac Disease Foundation. Their resource page on tax deductions outlines very clearly the process you need to follow if you plan to claim deductions as a medical expensive. They even provide a spreadsheet template to get you started with recording your expenses.
• Celiac on NPR: NPR has done a nice article on celiac, complete with recipes.
• From the Celiac Disease Center: The Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University hosted a Thought Leader’s Program in June which included the following presentations:
  Introduction to the Center and recent new information on celiac disease, Evaluation of poorly responsive patients, Why see an expert nutritionist for evaluation of celiac disease, and Nutrient and vitamin replacement. These presentations are available on You Tube and can be accessed at http://www.youtube.com/CeliacDiseaseCenter. Enjoy!
  

Make Your Voice Heard!

• Orange Valencia Cake at Starbucks: Sadly, Starbucks has decided to discontinue its GF Orange Valencia Cake. It really was quite a tasty treat! If you are as bugged as I am, sign this petition and make your voice heard! [Here is a little more background on what they have replaced it with...]

As always, thank you for your submissions and links! Enjoy the sunshine!

SGFA Quick News - more updates coming!

Hope this finds everyone enjoying the summer sun that has FINALLY arrived on the Shoreline!

A couple quick news items....

• SGFA at the Lace Factory Marketplace - TODAY! July 15th from 3:30 - 6:3oPM with Channel 3! The Lace Factory Marketplace is one of the newest farmers markets on the Shoreline - complete with amazing cheeses, veggies, berries, coffee, and hand crafted items - it is a great addition to our community. Sybil and Grandma's Goodies will be there to provide samples and give out information! The Lace Factory Marketplace is located in Deep River, located on River Road, opposite the Landing in Deep River. See their website for more information - come for a visit!

• NEW SAVE THE DATE! Our Strategic Planning session will be held on Monday, August 24th at 5 PM. For those that can arrive around 5, we will start with a social hour, with a pot luck supper starting at 6. The meeting place be held at the Westbrook Firehouse, located in the center of Westbrook and convenient for everyone. More information will be available by Mid August.

More to come - happy summer everyone!

SGFA June Roundup!

THANK YOU FOR AN AMAZING FUNDRAISER!

Thank you to ECHO Salon and all of SGFA supporters who helped to make our May 31st Cut-A-Thon a fantastic success! The funds raised will support the development of our school program which will educate schools on how to better support and provide options for GF students! THANK YOU!

Restaurant News and Updates

Panera Bread - Panera's does have certain gf items available. They also have an ingredient binder next to the cashier- at least they are supposed to have one in every store. This was confirmed by two of Sybil's grandchildren who worked there. The chicken is safe - it is coated with rice flour, the salads are ok, and some of their soups are gf. In case you get caught eating there when with friends, there are things we can eat besides gazing at the pastries and breads!

Traveling this Summer? Good GF options on the road include: Dairy Queen ice cream is gluten free and Wendy's is always a good choice for safe, fast gf food: you can enjoy the chili, baked potatoes, french fries, grilled chicken/salads and Frosties. Do you have more tips? Send them over...or comment down below!

Restaurant Warnings

Max's chain of restaurants does have a gluten free menu however, we need to put out a disclaimer: "Dine there at your own risk!" The one in downtown Hartford and in Glastonbury so far seem to be ok, but the new burger place in West Hartford evidently is having problems in the kitchen, as several people have gotten sick. Also, be very careful at Uno's if you are going for the pizza -- although we had originally heard good things. In addition, The Fresh Meadow product is supposedly excellent, but something is going on the kitchen to render it nearly inedible. Two complaints so far, one at the site at the Danbury Mall and one In Machester. Also, word has been received that the new grilled chicken at KFC is NOT gluten-free. Beware!

One last restaurant to note. At It's Only Natural in Middletown, they check off items on their menu that are gluten-free. One of those items - the sweet potato fries - are checked off, but when asked for more information, it turns out they are made in a shared fryer. Be sure to tell your server you are celiac and have a severe allergy! [We did try to explain to our server that if done in a shared fryer, they are not GF...but to no avail.] The GF sweet potato enchiladas though - were fantastic!

Article of Interest

• SFGA member, Laurencia Ciprus, recently wrote an article for the Old Saybrook Events Magazine about our group and its origins. The article is on page 42 - you can read it here. Thank you for sharing our story!
  

Product Finds and Discoveries

• In support of Celiac Disease Awareness Month, Jones Dairy Farm will donate $5 to the Celiac Disease Foundation for every gluten-free gift pack ordered during May and June. View all of Jones' Gluten-Breakfast Gift Packs - maybe the perfect GF Father's Day gift? The packages includes GF pancake mix, syrup, and a package of gf bacon, sausage, or turkey breakfast patties! YUM!

• We recently found out that Glutino/Gluten Free Pantry brands are actually owned by the Betty Crocker label. The cake, cookie, and brownnie mixes will be out soon and the Gluten Free Pantry label will be fazed out and the prices should come down. Betty Crocker's website has some more information about the new products -- looking forward to trying them!
  

Upcoming Events

Are you interested in shaping the future of SGFA or getting more involved in our association? Attend our planning meeting in July - more details will be distributed via Sybil's July Newsletter. The date will most likely shift from Saturday, July 18th to Monday evening, July 13th at 5PM - stay tuned for more details! If you can not attend the meeting but have suggestions, don't hesitate to email Sybil or comment below! Thank you for all of your ongoing support!

SGFA Weekly Roundup!

Events, restaurants news, product finds, and resources!

Upcoming Events

SGFA May Meeting: Join us on Saturday, May 16, 2009, at 10 am - please note change in time - at the Westbrook Library. Linda Lawton, owner "Olivia's Garden", Master Gardener, will be giving a talk on "Getting started, What You Need to Know about Organic Gardening". And...Mary Lawrence, owner of "WellonWheels", Chef & Nutritionist will demonstrate "Cooking Organically for Healthier Living". RSVP via email - shoreglutenfree@sbcglobal.net. Hope you can join us!

SGFA on Channel 8: Tune in to Channel 8 on Sunday, May 31st at 7:40am to see some of Board members and members talking about Celiac Awareness Month and helping schools better support children who are gluten intolerant!

Restaurant Suggestions & News

• GF Pizza at Uno's Pizzeria! Can you believe it? I had to check out the menu to believe it -- hard to tell if it is available at every Uno's so I would suggest call ahead to the restaurant location you are interested in. If you have a chance to try it - let us know how it is!! (We've heard it's fantastic!!) Here is a coupon for $1 off! As an additional bonus as May is Celiac Awareness Month, print this coupon and 20% off your order will be donated to the American Celiac Disease Alliance - go and bring friends!

• Mangetout Organic Cafe on State Street in New London is suggested by one of our members. The owner and her son are usually there. It is open for breakfast and lunch only. The menu changes daily. Items on the menu can easily be adjusted to be GF (for example, a wrap with GF components can be changed into a salad version with no wrap). They are very accomodating for ALL allergies. Their food supply is very locally-based and have simple, organic ingredients. There is a Chocolate Peanut Butter Crisp Bar that is divine!!! They also do GF birthday cakes with buttercream frosting and flowers! Sybil also say, "The coffee is superb!"
• Hankering for a vegetarian gluten-free dinner? Check out Shoreline Diner in Guilford.
• Enjoy waterfront dining? Aqua in Clinton (34 Riverside Dr, Clinton, CT 06413) has excellent food, beautiful view from the outside terrace-- well-informed chef. Don't eat the french fries but just about everything else is available for the gf diner... call ahead, please.

Product Finds

• Liz Lovely Cookies: Sybil says they are divine and you can get a taste if you are able to attend the May SGFA meeting!!
  

• Kim, one of our members, reported, "I served Sherrie's Streusel Topped Blueberry pie hot with vanilla ice cream and everyone raved! Also made French toast from Le Garden Bakery's Challah Bread with raisins. Yum. Both from It's Only Natural, Middletown, pricey but worth it."
• Nature's Grocer in Vernon(http://www.naturesgrocer.com)is making brilliant GF everything bagels. They also have a huge selection- the store is about the size of FW but it's ALL gf!!! For lactose intolerant celiacs, they will soon be carrying a goat milk cream cheese guaranteed to taste like the real thing, goat milk ice cream, and they already carry lactose-free ice cream. Worth the drive!
• Aleai's will be coming out with a real gluten-free French bread on or about June 1st - watch for it in stores and restaurants...
• Betty Crocker will reveal GF brownie and cake mixes in stores on or about June 1st as well, if you don't see them, ASK. Watch out also for General Mills GF cereals at about the same time.
  
  

Resources

• GIG Resources: A great link to all of the informational publications from GIG, includes "Getting Started", "GF Diet", "Medical Awareness", and "Eating Out" - very helpful!
  
• Navigating Restaurants: - This link comes from William Beverly entitled "How to tell if a G-F menue is truly G-F" -- chock full of good questions for your favorite local restaurant manager. It is at: http://www.gluten-freesimplicity.com/?p=18
• The Impact of NonDiagnosis: Recently, a team of Mayo Clinic researchers conducted an assessment of the long-term outcome of undiagnosed celiac disease, and whether the prevalence of undiagnosed celiac disease has changed during the past 50 years. The research team found that data from the 45 year of follow-up of subjects showed that people with undiagnosed celiac disease have a 400% higher risk of death than seronegative subjects ("non-celiacs"). They also concluded that rates of undiagnosed celiac disease seem have increased dramatically in the United States over the last 50 years.Read more here.
• From Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University: A recently published set of recommendations of the National Commission on Digestive Diseases titled "Opportunities and Challenges in Digestive Diseases Research". This report reflects the scope and challenges provided by digestive diseases in the United States. It is encouraging to see celiac disease receive equal attention as other serious GI problems. Check it out!

As always, thank you for your submissions, suggestions, and research finds - continue to send them on - or post them as comments here! The information we are able to share is only as good as the information we are able to put our hands on - thank you for your help in making this blog a helpful resource to our members.

Off to track down some of that Uno's GF pizza.... :-)