Now Gluten Free Sugar/Waffle Cones

Awhile ago (June 14, 2009 to be exact), we reviewed Edward & Sons’ Gluten Free Ice Cream Cones.  These were in the ‘cup’ shape.  While shopping at Whole Foods in Raleigh recently, we found Let’s Do…Gluten Free Sugar Cones.  Some also call them waffle cones, but either way, they are the type with a pointy bottom.

We picked up a box, and they tasted even better than the regular cones.  They were smaller than a regular cone (yeaa!  less sweets for the girls), but contained a sweet, crispy consistency very reminiscent of a regular sugar cone.  I really could not even tell a difference.  They also hold up well to forcing ice cream in, so you can rest assured they will not break apart when filling them up.

Edwards & Sons (http://www.edwardandsons.com/specialdiets_celiac.itml) manufacture many organic and gluten free items, including gluten free mac and cheese, salsas and gravy, sauces, sprinklez (we reviewed here: http://www.raleighcelkids.com/?p=683), and many other things.  Some great resources on their page, and you can even order hard-to-find items.

Pancakes and Waffles, Anyone?

We recently made a trip to the N. Raleigh Trader Joe’s (Cel-Kids Google Map here: http://preview.tinyurl.com/26q2zam).  You can also visit the location in Cary, but we live closer to Wake Forest location.

We stocked up on a variety of items that we will include over the next few weeks.  We picked up the TJ’s brand Pancake and Waffle Mix.  Our girls really slowed down with their pancake and waffle consumption, probably overdoing it for awhile, but we wanted to try this new mix.  And wow, did they like it.  Our oldest gobbled down 3-4, and our youngest 2.  I gobbled about 4 as well.  Nice, sweet taste, not that gritty-taste like many mixes.

Udi's Gluten Free Sandwich Bread

After all the many rave reviews on Facebook:

from Tara:
http://udisglutenfree.com/products
I tried this bread in Oregon last week. It’s the best I’ve had so far. I see
they sell it at Harmony Farms in Raleigh.

and from friends, we finally tried udi’s gluten free sandwich bread.  Our girls LOVED it.  The only downside is we cut crusts in our house, and with this smaller loaf, after cutting the crusts, small slices remained.  But we still were happy with another loaf of bread they will eat.

We (and others) have found udi’s at Whole Foods and Harmony Foods.  We only saw pizza crusts at Earth Fare, but they will probably eventually carry it as well.

Gluten Free Scanner for Android

Awhile ago we reviewed an iPhone App for local restaurants (http://www.raleighcelkids.com/?p=86).  Since then, I have purchased a Sprint Evo 4G, which runs a different operating system than the iPhones.  It runs the Linux OS Android.  Much like iPhone, Android possesses the ability to run all types of free and for-cost applications or apps.

Once I received my Evo, the first thing I did was begin looking for Celiac/gluten apps.  I found the Gluten-free Scanner at http://preview.tinyurl.com/2e68nnq.  What this app does is allow you to scan a barcode with your camera and it determines whether the product contains gluten or not.  I think this app has a lot of potential.  At this time, it still needs some development and additional products.  Some items I scanned showed up, mostly mainstream products.  Some did not.  I scanned Schar (sans umlaut), thinking it would come up, as it is a gluten free noodle.  Nope, it did not recognize it.  When I scanned Symphony candy bars, it came up with a variety of chocolates, but no Symphony.  At this point, that scares me a little, as not all chocolate or products are made equally.  Yes, it contains HUGE amounts of potential.  I would easily fork out $5-10 for an app with a large product database.  Hopefully they will continue to develop it, and I will update Raleigh Cel-Kids blog if/when they do.

Snyders--Another Gluten Free Pretzel!

A large reason why the Raleigh Cel-Kids helps parents is the sharing of information.  At our most recent event, I talked with some parents, discussing various products.  One mentioned finding Snyder’s gluten free pretzels at Whole Foods.  Yes, the mainstream pretzel/chip manufacturer.  For a Celiac family, this represented huge news.  While we love the Glutino pretzels, at $7.00 a bag, I am sure Snyder’s will come a little cheaper.

After the event, we stopped at Whole Foods to stock up, but could not find them yet.  So we hope to grab a bag and check them out.  I hope that the girls will like these as well.  Another good treat for snacks, lunches, and car trips!

http://www.snydersofhanover.com/Products/Cid/2/Prid/318/

Gluten Free Cheese Puffs

Snyder’s really seems to be gluten free friendly these days.  Many of their chips/products seemed to be gluten free, according to the ingredient lists, but we noticed, in puchasing the Naturals Corn and Rice Puffs recently, they clearly mark the package as gluten free.  Yeah!

Also, we heard rumors of Snyder’s gluten free pretzel.  Check back here soon for further information…

Even Andy Warhol Would Be Happy With Campbell's Gluten Free Offerings

Pat, our Cel-Kids sponsor and member of the Raleigh Adult Celiac Support Group recently passed on this great resource–Campbells’ Gluten Free Product List.

The list (click the link below) does a nice job first explaining gluten and how Campbell’s verifies gluten in their products.  They also go into a nice explanation of how they identify gluten-free products:

The following list contains products in which every ingredient in each product was verified as being gluten-free. As a further safeguard, we analyze each and every gluten-free product to ensure compliance with our strict gluten-free standards. We are also continuing our review of new products for their gluten-free status and will update our list accordingly.

Nice information there from Campbells, that definitely helps us look at them as a choice for gluten-free products.  Then they share their current products, including many flavors of Prego’s spaghetti sauce, Swanson’s broth, Pace salsas, V8, and Tomato juice.  I was surprised not to see any Campbells’ soups (obviously without noodles), but I do appreciate them keeping safe in not listing any as gluten-free.  More and more main stream companies cannot avoid the growing market of gluten-free diets/lifestyles, so we’re happy to see this from Campbells.

Campbells Gluten Free Product List

Creme Savers--Now Gluten-Free

While shopping recently, we stopped in the yogurt section to look through all the brands and flavors. Years ago, before our oldest was first diagnosed, she loved Breyer’s Creme Savers.  If not familiar, Creme Savers yogurt taste just like the Creme Savers hard candies.  Yum!  But alas, at that time, they could not guarantee they did not contain gluten.

When just picking up the package the other day, low and behold…they were clearly marked gluten free on each cup!  Not sure if they started making them on an independent line, or changing their recipe, but now they advertise as gluten free.  You can find these at pretty much any grocery store.  Now I will need to check the candies!

Get Your Happy Tummy Crusts at Whole Foods and Harmony Farms

Maria from Happy Tummy Baking Company recently donated pizzas to our group.  A group of about 50 Cel-Kids members sampled the pizzas at PlayNation and by the number of ‘seconds’ and ‘thirds’ by the kids, we think they liked the crust.

You can purchase the frozen crusts at Whole Foods (Google Maps Link) and Harmony Farms (Google Maps Link).  You will find them in a ‘medium’ size, to which you can add your sauce, cheese, and other gluten free toppings.  Definitely a fun way to have your children help you cook as well.

We received such a nice, informative email from Maria shortly after as well, which we wanted to include:

Thanks again for having me in to your meeting today. I didn’t get chance to convey a lot of information being busy with the pizza serving, but there is a lot of information about the company on the Our Story page of the website: www.happytummybaking.com. The crust recipe is free of gluten, yeast and the major 8 allergens so just about anyone can eat it. The ingredients are white rice flour, tapioca starch, sorghum flour, xanthan gum, salt, baking soda, cane sugar, canola oil and water. It is sold in all the Whole Foods in the Triangle area and also at Harmony Farms in Raleigh. It retails for $6.99 at Whole Foods and surprisingly for less: $5.69 at Harmony Farms. If you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I enjoyed being with your group today and wish you all the best.

Maria Hopper
President,  Happy Tummy Baking Company

9650 Strickland Road, Suite 103-256
Raleigh, NC 27615

919-848-4688
maria@happytummybaking.com

Get a Free Back to School Guide!

Yup, it’s that time.  Time parents love and kids don’t.  Back to school.  With a Celiac, that can pose difficult, but with some planning, you can make it through smoothly.  Recently, Jules Shepard from JulesGlutenFree.com sent a free Back to School Guide offer.  The guide contains lots of great information including how to approach teachers, prepare lunch, and even deal with sending a Celiac off to college.  See below on how to get your free guide by August 17th:

Back to school means new school supplies, new clothes, new routines, a new lunch box…and for those eating gluten free, it can mean new anxieties.

To help make this time of transition a bit easier, I’ve written an e-book that will guide the newly diagnosed as well as the seasoned gluten-free eater back to school with confidence, variety, and good nutrition.

For a limited time, you can get this 17 page Back-to-School guide FREE, as our way of helping make the back-to-school transition easier. But this offer expires on August 17th, so click here and enter coupon code b2s (case sensitive) to get your FREE copy.