Alcohol - Waupoos

Waupoos is a cider.  I didn't know this drink existed until about a month ago.

I went years thinking I hated cider.  YEARS!  This drink has changed that.

I had only tried the typical ciders... I won't mention names :/

If you get a chance to try Waupoos... I suggest you do.  I tried the above beverage at Bryden's in Bloor West Village, Toronto.

I had emailed to ask if this drink is gluten-free and this is the response I received from the General Manager:

Jax...thanks for your enquiry. All of our cider products are gluten
free...the County Premium, Waupoos Premium Draft, Peach and Feral
Ciders...there is no wheat, rye, barley or oats used in our products.

cheers,

Jenifer Dean
General Manager
County Cider Company

So.... drink up!!

Please note - I do not encourage alcoholism. Please enjoy responsibly. :)

Toronto - Lemongrass (Islington/Bloor)

I went to Lemongrass.  I love Lemongrass.

This restaurant is located at Islington and Bloor in Etobicoke (Toronto).

The take out menu clearly indicates gluten-free options.  When I sat down in the restaurant, I was really disappointed to see that the big menu makes no indication of gluten-free options.  Luckily I had grabbed the take out menu on the way in so I could make an informed decision.

Fresh Mango Cold Roll

While not stated right on the menu, I am told the cold rolls are gluten-free when served with red sauce instead of the peanut sauce.  Boy are they yummy!

Veggie Pineapple Cashew Fried Rice

I get the Veggie Pineapple Fried Rice almost every time I order from Lemongrass.  Sometimes it is great... and other times, not so much.  Usually it's great though :)

Maybe I had the wrong setting on my camera... oops.   But you get the idea.

After I had already ordered, I noticed a little menu on another table.  I grabbed it, thinking it was the dessert and/or drink menu.  Turns out, they have the gluten-free options conveniently written out!  Makes it much easier to identify what is safe and order accordingly.  As you can see, there are lots of options so if you're in the area, you should check it out!

Event - VILLA Restaurant - February 2012

On Wednesday February 22, Gluten-Free Ontario had its first ever event.

The event took place at VILLA Restaurant on Bloor West Village (between Runnymede and Jane) and the total attendance was 20 people.  Not bad, for a first event. I had met some people in person before, others I had been in contact with online and there were some who I had never talked to before.

When I arrived, there was a pretty Prix Fixe menu with my logo on it!  I had chosen the menu a few days prior but I had no idea the menu would be tailored so perfectly for the event... take a look!

We had the choice between soup and salad to start and then an entree of either pasta or pizza.

Prix Fixe Menu

Mixed Greens Salad

Mushroom Leek Soup

Fusilli Alfredo with Grilled Chicken

Fusilli Primavera

Wild Mushroom Pizza

Special thanks to my friend Lat from The Experimental Cupcake for taking the above pictures!!

The last of the four entree choices was Margherita Pizza but I don't recall seeing anyone with that one.  I ordered the Primavera since I had never tried it before but the Margherita Pizza was second choice in my mind.

Conversation just seemed to flow between tables, discussing Celiac-related topics and beyond.  I tried my best to spread my time between tables, making sure I got a chance to meet everyone.

I would be lying if I said the planning of this event was a piece of cake.  There were hiccups along the way.  First, I had a guest list of 38 people, which suddenly dwindled to 30 just a couple days before the dinner and then only 23 people arrived.... and 20 people stayed for dinner.  I wish everyone who had RSVP'd had made it to the dinner but I know sometimes things pop up last minute.

Feedback from the event has been extremely positive!  Everyone seems to be asking for monthly events (what are they trying to do... make me crazy?!)  Give me a few weeks and I'll see what I can do.

I would also like to send a special thank you to PatsyPie for sending yummy cookies, biscotti and pie crusts to me to hand out as door prizes at the end of the dinner.  I can't wait to see what kinds of pies you guys come up with!!

PatsyPie goodies

 I know I mentioned this before but I will say it again...

If you would like to plan an event in your city, please set up a Facebook event with all of the details (you will be responsible for confirming details and reservations with the restaurant)

and I will be happy to repost the event to help spread the word.

NEW! Astoria Mills Review, Pictures and Giveaway!

As many of you know by now I really like food.

And I don't think being gluten-free should stop me from enjoying all of life's yummy pleasures.

Just recently, I had a fun-filled day baking tons of gluten-free creations, including crackers, croissants, chocolate croissants, bread, pasta, pizza and donuts - wow!  How, you ask?  Well, let me tell you...

I feel priveleged.  Trina of Astoria Mills came to MY kitchen for a whole day of baking!  
(Okay, it was my parents' kitchen... mine is too small.)

Trina has created a fantastic baking system, comprised of 6 mixes that can make just about anything your heart desires. Don't believe me?  Check out the new Astoria Mills website to see what each mix makes, plus you can order online, too.

Astoria Mills Set of Mixes

The mixes are free from the following:

• gluten
• wheat
• milk, lactose and casein
• soy
• bean and pea
• sesame
• tree nuts
• peanuts
• sulphites. 

The mixes do contain corn, which is non-GMO.  They do process soy, but chances of contamination are low with the pharmaceutical grade blending process.

The manufacturing facility is dedicated gluten-free.  Astoria Mills mixes are tested regularly and certified to contain less than 5ppm of gluten, which is the lowest detectable amount. Bonus - the mixes are also fortified and contain lots of nutrients to keep you in good health!

I got to meet Trina when I was in Buffalo back in September for Gluten Freedom Day and we have formed a friendship and kept in touch since.

Trina (left) and Jax at Buffalo Gluten Freedom Day

I was really excited to get started... and immediately asked if we could make croissants and donuts, two of the gluteny items that I have missed and just haven't found suitable substitutes for yet.  Trina told me yes, when you purchase the mixes you get a free online e-cookbook with hundreds of recipes that use the baking system, including my coveted croissants and donuts!

mmm so let's get started!

Gluten-Free Baking Day with 

Trina from Astoria Mills

So much baking in one day!  I'm not sure how she does it!

Whisking eggs

Dough rising

Cutting out the crackers

Healthy crackers

Rolling dough and adding butter

Trina mixing

Mixing dough

Cutting croissants

Croissant

Yum, flaky croissant!

Pizza

Trina (left) and Jax

Frying donuts

Donuts - like Tim Bits!

Crusty bread

Making REAL pasta!

Bow tie pasta

Everything turned out amazing and it was really easy to follow the instructions in the e-cookbook.

________

Contest!

Tell me about your gluten-free journey.

(How long have you been gluten-free, how did you discover you couldn't eat gluten, what are your favourite meals or products... and anything else that make YOU and your story unique!)

• Post your entry in a comment below before 11:59 EST on Sunday, February 19, 2012 and you will be entered to win a set of six Astoria Mills (as shown in the picture at the top of thos blog post)
• Please include your name (as it appears on Facebook) or your Twitter handle in your comment so I am able to contact you when/if you win!  If you do not have Facebook or Twitter, please ensure I have a way to contact you.
• If you enter more than once (please don't) only your first comment will be considered.

This contest is open to Ontario residents only! (This is Gluten-Free Ontario, after all) The winner will be chosen by Trina of Astoria Mills and I will post the winner's name by Wednesday, February 22, 2012 on Facebook, Twitter and on this page.

Comments on this blog require approval - please only post once and I will approve them at a later time.

WINNER: Sam Melsom

NEW! Silver Hills Gluten-Free Healthy Breads!

 Ever wonder why there's no healthy gluten-free breads on the market?  If you've searched and searched for something with fiber, protein and other nutrients but keep getting disappointed by the abundance of starchy breads hidden behind "whole grain" labels, well your search is over... take a look at this!

Mack's Flax

Chia Chia

Silver Hills has introduced two flavours of gluten-free REAL whole grain bread:  Chia Chia and Mack's Flax.

Check it out:

• Made with Organic Ingredients
• Non-GMO
• Vegan (no dairy or eggs)
• High in Fiber
• No Artificial Preservatives
• Sprouted 100% Whole Grains

 How can you go wrong? 

(You can't)

Just don't overdo it on the bread... each slice has 6g of fiber!

Silver Hills sent me a loaf of each bread to try out a couple months ago and they tasted great! Plus, they were regular loaf sizes!  For the life of me, I cannot find the pictures I took of the bread...

But here's a mobile pic I had posted on twitter.

Have you spotted Silver Hills gluten-free breads yet?

Kinnikinnick Pancakes Review

There's nothing like a family breakfast on a Sunday morning.

On Christmas morning I was staying at my parents' place.  We decided to make up a batch of Kinnikinnick Pancake and Waffle Mix.

Kinnikinnick kindly sent me a sample of this mix.

The pancakes turned out amazing!  I would venture to say that this is probably topping my list as best pancake mix... and I've tried a few.  I've even tried making my own from scratch.

The pancake mix is also free of potato, yeast, nuts and dairy so it is perfect for those of you who are allergic to any of those.  It's perfect even for people who have no quarrels with gluten.  My dad (who does not have Celiac) even got third helpings.

I haven't tried making waffles yet but if they turn out anything like the pancakes, they get an A+ from me.

mmm maple syrup.  You gotta use the real stuff... none of that high fructose corn syrup kind ;)

Have any of you tried 

Kinnikinnick Pancake Mix?