Organic Prairie chicken hot dogs are soooo good

A few months ago, I was going camping and a friend suggested we roast hot dogs over the fire. I scoffed. Hot dogs?! Not only are they generally not gluten free, but they are completely unhealthy and disgusting.

Au contraire... I went shopping to prove my point and discovered these Organic Prairie Uncured chicken hotdogs. They are ridiculously tasty and from what I can tell, gluten free and not that bad for you.

I actually bought them for another camping trip and then, last week, just for fun to have at home!

Schlitterbahn-ing Gluten-Free

I went to Schlitterbahn for the first time this weekend in New Braunfels. Since I knew it would be an all-day affair, I looked up food options on their website. The bad news is that almost everything they sell at the park has gluten in it (except for ices, slushees, ice cream and cotton candy.) The good news is you can bring one of those giant wheeled coolers.

So, I talked with my friends ahead of time and that's what we did. We brought our own drinks, snacks and lunch and picnicked. Afterwards, however, I had to throw myself on the mercy of Omas Haus Restaurant a couple of miles away. I did have some backup sliced turkey and cheese, but I was hoping for a real meal.

Despite the waiter's trepidation - he had never heard of gluten - he checked for me and I was able to eat the lemon, dill grilled chicken, corn and German potato salad. Just about everything else on the menu was glutinous, though. They even had used flour in their coconut haystacks and fudge on sale in the lobby (which probably saved me from an unwanted 1,000 calories.)

Still, I didn't get sick and the food was very tasty. I was able to feel like part of the group instead of eating my turkey and cheese while they sampled local specialties.

Since I couldn't get dessert there, we all went for ice cream afterwards at Austin-favorite Amy's Ice Cream. When I asked if their ice cream had gluten in it, the server said, "Well, it has eggs, milk and sugar, I would think so."

Normally, I would expect something like this, but not in Austin, which is usually such a well-informed place. I asked to see an ingredients list, made sure it was OK and then just ordered Mexican Vanilla to be safe. It was fine, but this makes me so angry. I'm sure the Amy's owners would be appalled, too. They could be missing out on lots of potential sales.

Sprouts has Gluten-Free sale

Sprouts, which has several locations in the DFW area is having a Gluten-Free Jubilee 25% off tagged Gluten-Free products June 24 - July 1. I'm passing this on from NTGIG President Betty Barfield.

This is awesome because GF specific foods are quite pricey and sales like this don't come along every day!

Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks are quite tasty

A friend just shared his chocolate Quaker Quakes Rice Snacks. They are incredibly snackable! I'm not sure if the whole product line is safe or not, so always read the labels.

Dietary Specials has gluten-free recipe videos

This charming website from the UK offers a variety of info including recipe videos - starting tomorrow (June 24, 2009.) Go on now to see a trailer for the vids.

Boston's Gourmet Pizza - Gluten-free crust

I finally got around to trying Boston's version of the gluten-free pizza. As compared to Uno's it's got its plusses and minuses.

• Boston's is in Grapevine and possibly may be closer or more convenient to you.
• Boston's does deliver - I'm not sure how far.
• Boston's will put any toppings you ask for on the GF crust, but I didn't ask what precautions they take to make sure they are gluten-free. I ordered the hawaiian pizza and the pinapple appeared canned.
• Uno's cheese and sauce were far more flavorful and their pineapple was fresh. (I'm a pineapple fiend.)
• Boston's crust was much thinner and crisper, which was quite nice.
• Uno's was tastier overall, but the toppings were more limited.
• Both restaurants only offer the pizza in one size for about the same price.

NPR story about Celiac Disease

This was sent to me by my ever-thoughtful co-worker and fellow Celiac, Karla. 

Celiac Disease Radio Segment featuring Dr. Peter Green

There was a live celiac disease radio segment on The People’s Pharmacy on Saturday, June 13.

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.

Pepper Corer

I just bought what looks to be an amazing pepper corer from Williams-Sonoma.  A few posts back I wrote about the joy of grilled jalapenos.  Anyway, I'm very excited to try this guy out.  Looks vicious and efficient!

Most delicious black seedless grapes from Central Market

Recently I was in Central Market in Fort Worth and I bought some black, seedless grapes.  They were very, well, grapey.  They had much more of a taste than the standard red and green seedless grapes I get at most stores.  If you get a chance, grab a bunch before they're gone!

Haagen-Dazs Sorbets - mainly gluten-free

Check every flavor, but the majority of Haagen-Dazs' sorbets are gluten free, delicious and slightly less evil than ice cream.  Definitely a worthwhile summer treat!

Recently, I was starving at a food court at a mall and hit upon Haagen-Dazs' lemon sorbet.  I know, I know, it's not the perfect food, but it totally hit the spot.  Something to keep in mind for sure.

Gluten-Free lentil soup recipe

My friend recommended this as tasty, healthy, possibly vegetarian, high in protein and gluten free.  I plan to try it ASAP! Let me know if any of you guys try this.

Combine ingredients into a slow cooker on high for 4 hours or low for 8 hours:

* 2 stalks celery, chopped
* 3 carrots, chopped
* 1 onion, diced
* 4 cloves garlic, minced
* 3 bay leaves
* 8 cups water or GF vegetable broth or GF chicken broth
* 1 3/4 cups green lentils
* 2 potatoes, chopped
* 1 bunch spinach, chopped

I didn't but you can add these after the soup finishes cooking (I thought it was tasty enough without them):

* 1 tsp salt
* 3 tbsp red wine vinegar

Dogs are gluten-free - not that we eat them

Forgive this non-food-related post, but I wanted to highlight a cool organization called Smiling Dog Farms.  They provide sanctuary for dogs that are considered un-adoptable.

Gluten-Free beer good enough to drink?

Here's an article touting some new gluten-free beers that hopefully will be drink-worthy.  I have tasted several of these in the past and the only one I would vouch for is theGreen's Quest Tripel Ale.  I'm looking forward to trying the new versions of some of the others.

Gluten-Free Girl reviews the G-Free Diet and Babycakes

Check out this well-thought-out review of the current best sellers the G-Free Diet and Babycakes by trusted Gluten-Free Girl Shauna James Ahern.

Reduced sugar Ketchup by Heinz - still tasty

In my deepening search for cutting calories while preserving taste and staying gluten free, I have come across Heinz's reduced sugar ketchup.  It is 5 calories per tbsp. vs. 25 calories for the regular stuff.  I didn't notice a significant difference in taste.  It does contain sucralose for anyone avoiding that.  Otherwise, seems like a great condiment to add to the fridge!

Gluten-Free swim party for kids through NTGIG

NTGIG Kid's Swimming Party

When: Sunday, June 28th from 3:30-5:15pm

Where: AquaKids-Keller, 4212 Heritage Trace Parkway, Keller, TX 76248

Who: Kids ages 2-11

Trained lifeguards will be on duty

Gluten-free snacks will be provided

RSVP to Holly Kline at blondeshopper1@juno.com asap

or call 817-596-8491