Halloween Peeps are Gluten Free

I've decided to challenge myself to verify the current gluten-freeness of a variety of popular Halloween candies.  I call this my holiday cramming.  Even if I don't choose to eat them, I like to know what's available.  Some of my favorite GF goodies are Peeps. 

They have a variety of holiday offerings.  Here is a link to what's Gluten Free all year and here is a link to the Just Born website. 

Cake-style, Gluten Free ice cream cones

I had high hopes for the new Let’s Do . . . Gluten Free Ice Cream Cones, and they did not disappoint. I served several friends fresh peach ice cream in the cake-style cones, and everyone agreed that their light, flaky texture was indistinguishable from that of traditional cones. This is a product that will be welcome in my pantry anytime.
The cones, which are gluten-free, vegan and kosher, weigh in at 10 calories each. Even though the packaging of the cones says they may contain trace amounts of soy, no soy products are listed, and a friend who is allergic to soy had no problem eating them.
The cones are available online from Gluten Free Trading Company, LLC and locally at Sprouts Farmers Market in Southlake, Whole Foods in Arlington and the Sunflower Shoppe in Fort Worth; $3.99 for a package of 12.

Eating Gluten Free at Sunflower Organic Dining in Boulder, CO

This past weekend, I was visiting Boulder and Estes Park in Colorado.  It was like a Celiac food vacation.  Most servers at restaurants were familiar with Gluten Intolerance.  When I told my breakfast server I couldn't have flour, he asked if I were a "Silly-Yak?"

The best meal by far was at Sunflower Organic Dining on Pearl Street in Boulder.  I know there are lots of other Gluten-friendly establishments, but this was a fine-dining experience where the staff was knowledgeable and I didn't feel weird asking for anything special.  My server knew what I could and couldn't have and steered me towards a delicious meal.

They didn't seem to have any special GF items like breads or cakes, but I felt 100% certain that what I was served was safe.  

Thai Jasmine - Flavorful and Gluten Free

Thai Jasmine at 3104 Harwood Road is within walking distance of my house, but that's not the only thing I like about it.  Most of their dishes are flavored with gluten-free-friendly fish sauce instead of soy sauce.  Of course, you should always check yourself every time, but generally, the fresh rolls and all of their curries are safe, including their peanut sauce for dipping.  However, the pad thai has soy sauce in it as well as any of their stir fry dishes. 

On the first Sunday of the month, they have a vegetarian all-you-can-eat buffet with plenty of Gluten-Free options.

If you're curious about exploring naturally Gluten-Free cuisines like Thai and Indian, try getting a few cookbooks and looking at traditional recipes.  That will give you a good idea what is most likely safe before you go to the restaurant.

Wild Wood Art Café: Worth the drive

Location: 3663 Bee Caves Road, #4A  Austin, Texas 78746

Café Hours: Café hours:  Monday - Saturday 9:00 am – 6:00 pm CST  Sundays – closed

1-800-420-4207 or 1-512-327-9660

Walking into Wild Wood Art Café was like entering a gluten-free dream. There were reasonably-priced, gluten free delectable chocolate cupcakes with buttercream icing, sugar cookies in the shape of Texas, personal-sized bundt cakes in a variety of flavors and loaves of fresh-baked bread.

Better yet, I was able to order a turkey sandwich with basil mayonnaise and it tasted every bit as good as I’d hoped. The bread tasted great and had the mouth-feel of “normal” bread. It was so tasty, that I bought an extra one for the next day and saved it in a cooler I’d brought.

Although I didn’t eat breakfast there, I did notice that they offer gluten free pancakes and waffles until 1:00 PM. They also have a full coffee and tea bar including lattes ranging from the traditional vanilla to the more unusual pumpkin.

The friendly staff was happy to help distinguish between which of their dishes were vegan and which were gluten free.

North Texas Gluten Free Intolerance Group meeting in North Richland Hills

Sept. 6 - North Texas Gluten Intolerance Group meets for a Celiac 101 class at 9 a.m., with the regular support group at 10 a.m. Both end at noon in North Richland Hills Church of Christ, 6300 N.E. Loop 820. Nutrition coordinator Melinda Dennis is guest speaker. For information, call 817-967-2804 or visit www.northtexasgig.com.

I've been wanting to make it to one of these for a long time.  Unfortunately, I'll be out of town this weekend, but I have high hopes for next month!

Sublime bakery has released it's Gluten-Free fall menu

I mentioned Sublime bakery before and their promise of gluten-free cupcakes.  They've upped the ante with offerings of scones, muffins, truffles and a very decadent-sounding cheesecake "Lollipop."  All are Gluten Free.  

In the menu, it says they keep cross-contamination to a minimum by making the Gluten-Free offerings first thing in the morning when there isn't any wheat-flour dust in the air and the machines are clean.  Then, they don't make any more Gluten-Free goodies for the rest of the day.  Which is why it's important to call ahead to make sure they'll have what you're looking for.