Sunday, June 28, 2009

Recipe: Gluten Free Wraps

Did you ever think it was possible? To have a gluten free wrap or tortilla that wouldn't break or split, that is? The recipe I share with you today comes from Karina's Kitchen: Fresh Recipes from a Gluten-Free Goddess. If you haven't checked out her blog, it's amazing - truly one of my favorite blogs to follow in the GF recipe realm. Her stories make me want to curl up with a hot cup of tea on the couch - they are so eloquently written; I've replicated countless recipes and have a long waiting list of still others to try; and the best part is - they are easy to make with simple, good quality ingredients.

Gluten Free Millet Buckwheat Wraps is a delicious recipe for pliable wraps. No fancy equipment needed here, but if you do have a tortilla press, Karina instructs on how to do it both ways. I always make her recipes exactly as she does when I replicate it for the first time; then I experiment with my own. For example, next time I make these I'll probably use cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg topped with fresh berries and whipped cream for a sweet breakfast treat or dessert smeared with Nutella.

What recipes have you adapted to be gluten free?

Saturday, June 27, 2009

NCPGIG Meeting Minutes - June 22, 2009

Carol Ann O'Connor and Grace Johnston were kind enough to share the meeting minutes from the NCPGIG. Among their special guests were Lori and Michelle Corso of Twin Cakes Bakery in Raleigh and Tom and Heather Soja of Tom's Gluten Free Goodies in Asheboro who provided delicious desserts for more than 30 people.

Special guest speakers included Dr. Jillian Sarno and Dr. Keoni Teta of the Naturopathic Clinic in Winston-Saelem, and Cynthia Kupper, the Executive Director of the National GIG. Drs. Sarno and Teta discussed the effects of the Industrial Revolution on human food sensitivities. Cynthia Kupper shared three major initiatives for the GIG - the gluten free restaurant awareness program, the institutional food management program, and the gluten-free food service certification program.

To read the detailed minutes, click here.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Winston-Salem Journal Article Featuring Grace Johnson

Check out this article recently posted in the Winston-Salem Journal newspaper discussing Celiac Disease and the Gluten Free Diet. The article features Grace Johnson, the leader of the NC Piedmont Triad GIG Group. Great article Grace!

Friday, June 19, 2009

Celiac Disease on the radio

Dr. Peter H. R. Green, MD, is Professor of Clinical Medicine at the College of Physicians & Surgeons of Columbia University Medical Center; he is also Director of the Celiac Disease Center at Columbia University. On June 13th, he participated in a radio segment on The People’s Pharmacy on Saturday, June 13. The podcast can be downloaded free of charge.

Live Interview:

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2009/06/12/727-celiac-dise/

Extended Interview:

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2009/06/15/extended-interv-31/

Also, this will be aired on many NPR stations over the next few weeks. Tune in!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) Event - June meeting

North Carolina Piedmont Triad Gluten Intolerance Group (NCPTGIG) is holding its June meeting. Below are the details as provided by Grace Johnston, team leader.

June 22, the NCPTGIG support group will meet at the Old Hickory Boy Scouts of America district office at 660 Silas Creek Parkway at 6 PM for a gluten-free potluck dinner and educational panel. This will be an excellent time for you to invite the health care professionals who are taking an interest in your well-being. We will have planned activities for the children as well.

Special guests invited:

Cynthia Kupper, RD, the executive director of GIG of North America (and Cynthia is coming)

Dr. Keoni Teta, Naturopathic Health Clinic

Dr. Kathryn Montanya, Novant Hospital Pharmacy

Dr. Keith Vance, Lewisville Pharmacy

Drs. Ike & Kristi Vlahos-Jonestown Pharmacy (swim meet for 3 sons is a conflict)

Dr. Robert Holmes, Piedmont Gastroenterology

Dr. Ivor Hill, Wake Forest School of Medicine (will be in Chicago)

Dr. Daniel Marshall, Medicap Pharmacy

Please add to our list by inviting additional health care professionals. Please RSVP so that we can better plan the set-up of tables and have adequate handouts of materials on gluten-free medication issues. If you can assist Martha Russell with setting up the room or returning the room to normal after the program please call Martha at 336-924-5572.

Please bring ten copies of your recipe. It helps if you list the brands used in your dish. For example: 1/2 c of Hellman's mayonnaise.

If you are new with the gluten-free diet bringing bottled water or paper products will be fine. Check with me about what you are bringing or if you have questions about the event.

Have a good summer. Mark June 22 on your calendar. We look forward to seeing you.

Grace Johnston, NC Piedmont Triad GIG- team leader

Friday, June 5, 2009

Would you take a pill to eat foods that are not gluten free?

Lauren from Gluten Free Chapel Hill blog posted new information about a pill that would allow someone with Celiac to take a pill before eating foods that are not gluten free.

Personally, I would consider taking it only for very specific foods (Dunkin Doughnuts and B&J's cinnamon bun ice cream), and it would be nice to not worry over cross-contamination issues. Honestly though, I have been so pleased with my gluten-free baking experiments that I don't even miss the gluten alternatives anymore. Plus finding the right combination of flours keeps my mind sharp.

What would you do?

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Restaurant Review: Chipotle - Life is Burrito-ful

Welcome to Chipotle Addicts Anonymous. My life would not be complete without Chipotle Mexican Grille. Speaking of complete, here comes one of those healthy lifestyle tips I promised to throw in: combining rice and beans into one meal is a great way to get all your essential amino acids to form a complete protein food without meat.

Chipotle is all about "Food with Integrity". If you're a food enthusiast like me, this means we get to eat food that is unprocessed, seasonal, family-farmed, sustainable, nutritious, naturally raised, added hormone free, organic, and artisanal.

Chipotle is a gluten-free foodie's dream - your best bet is to order a burrito bowl (think "naked" if you're a fan of those other burrito chains) or hard tacos. My personal favorite is the veggie burrito bowl with black bean, mild salsa, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and lettuce. You can find me there every Sunday (usually in Raleigh though) eating it nacho style with corn tortilla chips...and sometimes on Tuesdays. Or Wednesdays. You get the picture.

Your dining experience is not without risks, of course; specific allergen information can be found here. Please, PLEASE ask that your burrito maker don some clean gloves and ask that they not touch anyone else's burrito while they make yours. Watch carefully just to make sure. By the time you get to the end of the line, you'll be drooling over your deliciously safe gluten free meal!

128 Hanes Mall Circle
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
336-245-2522 (phone)
336-245 2528 (fax)
Open 11am-10pm

Life is burrito-ful. What's your favorite Chipotle burrito?

Monday, June 1, 2009

New GFWS Blogger

Thank you, Zach, for allowing me to stand in as the Gluten Free Winston-Salem blogger.

I am native to the Winston-Salem area; I lived there from 1983 until 2001, when I graduated from high school. Although I've been living in the Raleigh area for the last 8 years (give or take), I frequent Winston-Salem often to visit with my family, which means - of course - dining out (or in as the case sometimes is), and that can be downright terrifying for someone like you and me with food allergies.

Even though I have not been officially diagnosed with Celiac, I have been gluten free for about 2 years and it has completely changed my life. On average it can take 8 years to get diagnosed for Celiac, and I just didn't want to see any more doctors, I didn't want to have any more tests, I didn't want to be told that I might have this disease or that syndrome; I just wanted to live a healthy life without debilitating ailments.

My goal for the GF Winston Salem blog is to raise awareness about Celiac and gluten intolerance, to share my experience on how being GF has changed my life and how it can change others, and to review what GF resources are available in Winston Salem for those who live there or who visit there. I might even share a few recipes and healthy lifestyle tips.

I am a food and fitness enthusiast, an ACSM certified Personal Trainer, a Certified Public Accountant, and a gluten free girl.

Tell me, followers, who are you? With all the blogs out there, I'd love to hear feedback on what information is valuable to you. If you live in the Winston-Salem area and are interested in blogging, please contact the owner of the Gluten Free NC blogs.