2014: December notes

Here are the notes from the meeting: 

Travel:

--take small pre-packaged meals

--take paper plates

--travel with a cheap toaster. Try to arrange to get a room with a fridge and microwave if possible. When making a reservation you can request a fridge saying it's a medical necessity. 

--pack single serving salad dressings

--"Go Picnic" has some pre-packaged meals--check label to make sure they are labeled GF.

Quick meals

--spaghetti

--tacos

--freezer is your friend

--crock pot

--simplify

Kids

--Take to birthday parties a GF cupcake in a cupcake saver

--have frozen pizzas on hand to cook up real quick to send to the party; or buy take-out pizza and take to party

--frozen donuts are easy to microwave and send with your child if they are having a sleepover.

--for sleepovers: tell the other parents that you will provide all the food if  it helps to make you feel more comfortable.

Other

--Louie's Wine Dive is good

--Immaculate cookies can be found at Target (maybe HyVee?) in the refrigerated section with the other pre made cookie doughs. 

--crackers to try: Schar's; Van's; Food Should Taste Good

--Cup for Cup flour is good. William Sonoma flour--found at the store. Also has yummy pie crust; flour mix; but the stuffing mix is NOT recommended.

--Windsor Heights HyVee has an awesomely large GF section

Thanks Amy for sharing this recipe with us! Here it is folks:

Easy Gluten Free Flour Recipe:

1 bag sorghum 22oz (bobs red mill)

1 bag millet 22 oz (bobs red mill)

1 box potato starch 16oz (enerG)

5T xanthan gum

The idea is to use roughly 2 parts flour to 1 part starch- no measuring necessary!  You can mix and match which flours and starches you use.  My experience:  Do not use buckwheat (too overpowering) and do not use Guar Gum for xantham (at least not full strength- too 'slippery.')

Dr. Alessio Fasano came to town! It was great to hear him speak and share all of his amazing information!

GF Notes from 11-10-14

Thanksgiving/holidays/ parties

--Plan ahead, call ahead and ask host about food.

--go through the food line first if you can

--take something you can eat

--eat ahead of time

--When going through a buffet line, and you know the item is safe to eat, scoop from different corner of the dish to avoid cross contamination

--be assertive

--be creative

Turkeys: Trader Joe's is GF, pricey but very good. 

google "Gluten free turkey" to find answers to your questions--most are GF but it's good to check.

recipes:

--you can find a link to the 3 ingredient peanut butter cookie on the blog: iowaglutenfree.blotspot.com under "desserts & Cookies"--2 versions of the recipe on there; one is truffle cookie; other is PB cookie.

--Michelle's recipe for yummy oats: http://mywholefoodlife.com/2014/05/17/overnight-oats/

Other info

--meet with a HyVee dietician to find out answers to your questions

--check out celiacsconnect.com to find lots of helpful info. On the web page there is a link to restaurants that are accommodating to gluten free. 

--Twigs (restaurant) in Rochester, MN is GF friendly

--Bonefish Grill has brunch; gluten free options

--read seasoning packets. Penzey's spices are gluten free

--Tally's restaurant in Beaverdale has separate fryer--GF onion rings!!

--Pacific Life has GF soups, creamed soups--found at HyVee

--HyVee, Trader Joe's, Whole Foods has GF lists found online or ask in the store.

--Aldi's has nice selection of GF stuff

--Small Cakes bakery is next to NY Pizza on George Mills and has GF bakery items.

--Cache Bakery on Hickman across from the Machine Shed has GF options.

Dr. Alessio Fasano is coming to Des Moines!

Dr. Alessio Fasano will be coming to Des Moines to do a presentation on Celiac Disease (CD) and Non-Celiac Gluten Sensitivity (NCGS).  This will take place Nov. 15 at the Bridge in Johnston (part of Meredith Drive Reformed Church).  The address is NW 62 Ave. and 100th St.   We can seat about 600 people in that worship center, and it will be open to the public.  You are not going to want to miss this incredible opportunity to hear this world renowned expert on CD.  He is here just for us!  So please mark your calendars and plan to come.  We want to have a full house!  There will be no charge to attend.  Staring at 11:30 a.m. there will be a vendor fair and raffles for fabulous prizes.  Our hope is to raise money for the Center for Celiac Research.  Dr. Fasano will give his presentation at 1:00, and following that he will do a book signing for his new book Gluten Freedom .  Bring your books with you; purchase can be made on Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble will order it for you.

Notes from GF Newbies July 14, 2014

Month 1

Where to shop
-HyVee has best selection for just starting out; it is convenient it's all in one aisle. 10% off ALL Health Market items on Wednesdays at all HyVee's.  If you shop the HyVee on George Mills in WDM on Saturdays it's also 10% off.
-Trader Joe's has compiled a list of their GF items.
-Walmart
-Whole Foods
-Fareway has a GF section, but make sure you double check that the item is labeled GF.
-Aldi's
-Costco

Kitchen: Items to think about
-If it's a shared kitchen, have separate toasters, butter, jelly, peanut butter, etc. and other items that could be cross contaminated.
-Colander
-Nylon spoons/spatulas
-Grill
-Cutting Board
-Stoneware


Favorite GF Stuff & recent items we have tried (& liked!)
-Udi's GF tortillas (freezer section at HyVee)
-Mary's Gone Crackers
-Van's Cinnamon Heaven cereal
-Special K GF popcorn chips
-Scratch Cupcake has GF options
-Gusto's pizza & they have desserts from Sweet Rewards
-Sweet Rewards bakery in Waukee (like them on Facebook)

Other
-Pamela's Baking Mix is the best deal at Whole Foods
-when baking, bake mini loaves, not a whole loaf for a better turn out
-Apps to try: Shopwell; ipiit
-Cheesecake factory has a GF menu

Pan Pizza Crust

www.pamelasproducts.com/pan-pizza-crust/

Thanks Christie for sharing this recipe! We tried this on Friday night and it was delicious!!!

Notes from GF Newbies 6-9-14

Travel Tips

--buy a toaster

--Apps: Find Me GF; ipiit

--Wallace Farm Beefstick is good for traveling and doesn't need refrigeration

--take own snacks, salad dressing (small pouches); GoPicnic snacks

--Call ahead to hotel and request a fridge/microwave. If there is breakfast available, ask what is served.

Quick Meals

--tacos, pasta, quesadillas, roast, crockpot meals

--Sweet Rewards in Waukee has a great selection of GF bakery items!

Other

--Minneapolis Original Pancake House has GF breakfast!

--Trader Joe's has 100% corn tortilla shells in bread section

--Pacific Life (box) cream soup at Hy-Vee

--Trader Joe's has GF mac & cheese

--Adventureland: check out their website to find menu items and ingredients. At Soda and Sounds they have GF fries/ the fryer is separate. You can always eat outside the park.

--I Cubs: GF Pizza, popcorn, sno cones & ice cream

--Iowa Events Center--peanuts and popcorn

--Udi's frozen pizza crusts are a great option!

Kids

--invest in a cupcake holder to send with child to school or parties

--buy a pizza ahead and take own food to parties/events. If the party is at a public place without GF options, call ahead to confirm you can bring in your own GF food.

--Incredible Pizza has GF Pizza

Notes from 4/14/14

Hello everyone, here are the notes from last night's Gluten Free Newbies group:

going out to eat:

--call ahead of time (during the day at a not so busy time for the restaurant) and talk with a manager or a chef

Cookbooks:

--Cake Mix Doctor Bakes GF by Anne Byrn

--WheatBelly Cookbook

--Artisanal GF Cooking

GF Flours:

--Cup 4 Cup (found at William Sonoma/or buy it in smaller amounts at Urbandale HyVee at the scooper bins)

--Namaste

--King Arthur

--Pamela's

Baking tips:

--freeze bread and take out what you need

--Bundt cakes do well (no soggy middles!)

Other:

--Johnston Lion's Club is having a pancake dinner the first Saturday of May and they will have a  separate GF station for GF pancakes!

--Williams Sonoma has GF cooking classes

--Udi's bread at Costco is a good deal--found in the freezer ($6.99 for a giant loaf)

--Namaste flour is at Costo

Easter candy:

http://www.glutenfreechecklist.com/images/EasterCandyList.pdf

Notes from 2/10/14

Hi everyone, Here are the latest GF Newbies Notes: (from 2/10/14)

Resources:

--apps: Gluten Free Scanner; ipiit; find me gluten free

--A list of favorite books, magazines and websites can be found at the blog: iowaglutenfree.blogspot.com

Restaurants:

A list of area restaurants that are GF friendly can be found at: http://celiacsconnect.com/HelpfulInformation.aspx

A few restaurants that we talked about that people have had positive experiences: Luca in the East Village; Green Briar; Hickory Park in Ames; Ohana's; Tally's in Beaverdale; Noodle & Company-- (note--make sure you tell the server it's GF for health reasons and they will scan a card that sends info to the chefs to watch your plate); Buffalo Wild Wings on Merle Hay

Meats/Deli

--Ask butcher to get fresh meat from the back (be aware that meat in the meat counter can be touching other items that might be marinated/contain gluten)

--Oscar Meyer and Hormel pre-packaged deli meats are good at labeling their packages

Pasta

--Some favorite brands: Ronzoni; Barilla; Schar; Thai Kitchen stir-fry rice noodles

--Jovial egg pasta; found at HyVee on Jordan Creek

Other:

--Costco has many GF options sprinkled throughout the store. GF flour, snacks, etc. Rotisserie chicken is GF.

--http://www.celiac.com/articles/181/1/Safe-Gluten-Free-Food-List-Safe-Ingredients/Page1.html