Gluten-free Oats offer

Can you tolerate gluten-free oats? It’s estimated that 4-8% of gluten-free consumers cannot tolerate gluten-free oats.
My friend, Debbie Wheaton of the Not Even a Crumb™ Foundation, found a company in Montana (Montana Gluten-Free Processors) that grows, harvests, mills and packages a different species of GF oats that are very low on the allergen scale (and consistently test out at 1 ppm). She started eating them a month ago - with NO issues. The company is getting similar testimonials from around the country. They, (Montana Gluten-Free Processors) have asked Debbie to facilitate a nationwide focus group to determine if this is truly the Holy Grail of gluten-free oats.

If you or anyone in your group has had issues with gluten-free oats, I would love them to be a part of this focus group. The Processors will send free product and specific protocols for the group and they’ll also do a huge giveaway at the end. Check out their site to see their entire line of amazing GF mixes http://www.montanaglutenfree.com/

CDF Anchorage Gluten-free Support Group Meeting

The Anchorage Gluten-free Support group meets Thursday night 9/15/2011! 

Please join us from 6-8pm at Natural Pantry on Old Seward Highway in the University Center.

For more information please feel free to e-mail me at mrsalaska2011@gmail.com. I look forward to seeing you there!

Celebrate National Celiac Awareness Day

The following post was stolen from a brillant Celiac with her own blog, Erin Smith. For the original copy and more of her amazing insight, visit: http://glutenfreefun.blogspot.com/2011/09/celebrate-celiac-awareness-day.html
Tomorrow is Celiac Awareness Day. In 2010, a resolution was passed in the U. S. Senate, making September 13 National Celiac Disease Awareness Day. 
How are you going to celebrate Celiac Awareness day?
Here is a list of ways to celebrate from the NFCA:

1. Share the Celiac Symptoms Checklist. Send the checklist to 10 friends. Odds are, at least one of them will have an “Aha!” moment and recognize the symptoms in a family member, neighbor or friend.

2. Play a role in research. The Celiac Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (BIDMC) is looking for relatives of celiacs to test a new self-administered blood test. It’s your chance to finally convince your mother, brother, or another family member to take the test once and for all. (Update: Study has been filled. Thank you to all who signed up!)

3. Go for a run. Restoring health isn’t just about making the dietary switch to gluten-free; it’s also about embracing your new lease on life. I’ll be here when you get back.

4. Or, support a fellow Celiac while he runs. On September 24, Athlete for Awareness Peter Bronski will run 50 miles and scale 10,000 feet for the 2nd year in a row – all to raise money for NFCA. Donate to help him reach his goal.

5. Tell your doctor “Sorry” isn’t good enough. How many doctor appointments did you waste complaining of symptoms before you finally got diagnosed? End the cycle of misdiagnosis once and for all: Print the Celiac CME postcard from our website and urge your doctor to take NFCA’s free course on celiac disease.

6. Expand your dining options. If you know a restaurant that needs gluten-free training, now’s the time to act. Print the GREAT Kitchens information sheet from our website and bring it to the restaurant. As an incentive, tell the manager how many friends and support group members are just waiting to find a new gluten-free hot spot.

7. Be a part of something big. Sign 1in133.org's Letter to the FDA regarding the proposed gluten-free labeling rule. It’s one way to tell the FDA to keep moving and stop stalling when it comes to gluten-free safety.

8. Have a party. Bake some gluten-free cupcakes. Put out a bowl for donations. Voila! Instant Cupcake Party Fundraiser. (It’s really that easy.)

9. Head to class. Ask your child’s teacher if you can have a special Celiac Awareness Day at school. Read a celiac disease children’s book, then take questions from the kids. If your child’s school allows it, bring in gluten-free snacks for everyone to try. While you’re there, encourage the cafeteria staff to get gluten-free training through NFCA’s GREAT Schools program.

10. Sharpen your cooking skills. You never stop learning, so take advantage of NFCA’s library of free gluten-free cooking videos. The videos not only have step-by-step instructions, but also give you helpful tips, like how to sneak veggies into a dessert.

11. Make a new friend. If you’re not on Facebook or Twitter yet, get moving! The staff and I have met tons of new people through social media, and there’s sure to be a lot of exciting chats and activities for Celiac Awareness Day.

12. Try something GREAT. NFCA’s GREAT Business Association members are huge supporters of the celiac and gluten-free community. Encourage their continued involvement by picking up one of their products. (Make sure to tweet about it!)

13. Prepare future advocates. We’ve made incredible progress, but it’s up to our kids to keep that going. Teach them the joy of volunteering and advocacy by helping them contribute to Kids Central. They can sign up for the Letter Writing Fundraiser, share a gluten-free recipe, or submit a product review for kids.

September Recipe of the month

The end of August and the beginning of September marks the start of the Alaska State Fair. My husband and I attended last year and it was very rainy so we stayed inside and didn't stay very long. However, this year we were blessed with a very sunny day and had a wonderful experience. I ate some cotton candy and John had a green apple covered with caramel. I really w anted a corn dog because it is my favorite fair food. However, most of the vendors couldn't tell me what was in their mix so, to be safe, I refrained from eating fair food. However, I do have a handy recipe to make gluten-free corn dogs so, I thought I would share it!

Gluten-free Corn dogs

Serves 8

1 cup yellow corn meal
2/3 cup gluten-free all-purpose flour (I've used Bobs Red Mill with success!)
1/3 cup cornstarch
1 tsp. salt
3/4 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. sugar
1 egg
1 cup buttermilk (I use ricemilk or almond milk - add a little at a time until good consistency reached)
1 package of good quality hot dogs (such as Sabrett Skinless Beef Franks)
2 quarts of vegetable oil (for frying)
8 wooden popsicle sticks or skewers

Directions

1. Line a rimmed sheet tray or large plate with paper towels. Remove hot dogs from their package and dry completely with paper towels. Place a wooden stick into the length of each hot dog, leaving enough length at the end to use as a handle. Heat oil in a 10"-12" heavy pot over medium heat until temperature reaches 350°. You can also use a deep fryer if you have one.

2. Whisk dry ingredients together in a medium bowl and make a well in the center. Whisk together egg and milk in the well and combine with dry ingredients, mixing until smooth.  Pour batter into a pint glass or other tall, skinny container, leaving a 1-inch space between the top of the batter and the rim of the glass.

3. Dip prepared hot dogs into batter, coating completely, and fry for 2–3 minutes, turning halfway through fry time, until deep golden brown on all sides. Drain corn dogs on prepared tray (either let the paper towels absorb the oil or put a wire rack over the paper towels). Repeat with remaining hot dogs.

Note: You can use up any leftover corndog mixture by frying up some corn fritters. Just drop tablespoons of remaining batter into the oil and fry 2-3 minutes, turning halfway, until puffed and golden. For an added kick, add 1 tbsp. chopped jalapeño plus 3 tbsp. grated cheddar to the leftover batter before frying.

Grain options: you can eat much more an rice!

Since gluten is a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, some people may think that their carbohydrate options are very limited once they begin a gluten-free diet. However, there are a wide variety of gluten-free grains to choose from I have found that my carb options have expanded since I was diagnosed.  All are a good source of fiber and provide a range of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, as well as have varying tastes, textures and culinary uses. Here is a list of gluten free grains that I use as my alternatives:

·         Quinoa (high in protein and fiber)
·         Millet
·         Amaranth (great source of fiber and protein)
·         Teff (iron and fiber source)
·         Wild rice (which is different from white and brown rice)
·         Sorghum (good source of iron and potassium)
·         Corn/polenta
·         Certified gluten-free oats [FYI - some Celiacs (4-8%) cannot tolerate them]
·         Buckwheat
·         Potato (sweet potatoes are an excellent source of fiber, Vit A and Vit C)

This list is not comprehensive but may give you some options you hadn’t considered before. Please note that inherently gluten-free grains can become cross contaminated with gluten, so it's a good idea to purchase from manufacturers that incorporate safe practices to prevent contamination from happening. Bob’s Red Mill is an excellent vendor that is common in most grocery stores. They ELISA tests their grains to assure that they are free of cross-contamination.
Happy eating!

August Product of the month

Since Louisiana Chicken Pasta is my recipe of the month, I had to share the fabulous product that makes the tasty recipe casein-free! Being gluten-free is one thing but being allergic to soy and dairy as well, makes the challenge of living with Celiac Disease two times harder. So I was elated to find this product in the organic food store and I always have some of it on hand. My husband has grown to love my version of the Louisiana chicken pasta and requests it often.  The MimicCreme, along with the Manchego cheese that I use in place of the parmesan, gives this recipe the safety I need but the flavor we both love!

August Recipe of the month

Ever since I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease and my dairy and soy allergies, there are certain restaurants I miss eating at and certain dishes I am no longer able to eat. One of the restaurants I miss dining at is The Cheesecake Factory. My favorite dish there was the Louisiana Chicken Pasta. I was delighted to find a recipe that allows me to enjoy the dish with some minor substitutions.

Louisiana Chicken Pasta

Chicken:
4 tablespoons vegetable oil
6 skinless boneless chicken breast halves
3/4 cup gluten-free bread crumbs ( I toast Udi's bread and crumble it for a quick
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese (I use Manchego sheep's cheese for a dairy-free substitution)
1 cup milk (I use almond or rice milk)
2 tablespoons flour ( I use Bob's Red Mill All-purpose gluten free flour)

Cajun Sauce:
1 tablespoon butter (Enjoy Life Soy-free)
1 small yellow bell pepper, chopped
1 small red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 small red onion, chopped
3 whole garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 1/4 pints whipping cream (I use Mimiccreme for a dairy free substitution)
1 cup low-salt chicken broth
4 tablespoons fresh basil, thinly sliced
1 cup grated parmesan cheese ( I use the Manchego here as well)
1 package bow-tie pasta(Tinkyada brown rice pasta)
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
salt and pepper
Melt butter in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add yellow and red bell peppers, mushrooms, and onion to same skillet and saute until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes.
Add minced garlic and crushed red pepper to skillet and saute 2 or 3 minutes.
Then add whipping cream and chicken stock (for a thicker sauce - omit chicken stock). Simmer until sauce re-heats and thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.
Add basil and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese to sauce, stirring to incorporate. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low, simmer. Sauce will reduce and thicken.

Cook chicken:
Wash and drain chicken breasts. Pound until very thin, as thin or thinner then 1/4-inch thick (the thinner the chicken breasts the better).
Mix breadcrumbs, flour, and Parmesan cheese together. Place milk in dish for dipping. Dip chicken in breadcrumb mixture and then in milk and then back in breadcrumbs.
Place in fry pan that the oil has been heated and fry at medium high temperature until golden, crisp, and cooked through. Add more oil as needed. Remove and drain chicken. Keep warm.

Meanwhile, cook bow-tie pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to bite. Drain and return to pot. Add sauce and toss to coat.
Place pasta with sauce on plate, and top with chicken breast. Serve, passing additional Parmesan separately.

ENJOY!