Mrs. Leeper's Chicken Alfredo

When I was diagnosed with CD, I thought that the convenience of Hamburger Helper and other “one-skillet” meals went out the door. Then shortly afterwards we found Mrs. Leeper’s pasta meals. The Alfredo meal is really good. We always try to buy one or two boxes whenever we see them on sale. They’re delicious and relatively easy to make, with the pasta coming out anywhere from good to a little mushy. That’s OK with me as long as they’re not too firm, which is a problem with some GF noodles and pasta. Brandie thinks it tends to be a little too salty for her taste and prefers just cooking it for me so I can take it for lunch to work.

Snyder's of Hanover: GF pretzels

I’ve wanted to try these pretzels ever since I’d heard that they were available in Indy. Finally, during one of our trips to Whole Foods, I remembered about them and bought a bag. As Brandie would say, “OMG, these’re good!” I ate them as a snack to get me through until dinner, but it was hard not to eat the entire bag. I just kept eating and eating and eating. Brandie had to take the bag and hide it, so I wouldn’t ruin my appetite. I would definitely buy these pretzels again, and I think they would be great dipped in chocolate, which is an experiment Brandie and I want to try someday.

Brandie here - I gotta say, GF pretzels are definitely one of those products that are just better GF. I would actually eat GF pretzels over 'regular' pretzels any day.

Enjoy!

Review: Against the Grain Gourmet Frozen Pizza

Brandie and I found these at Whole Foods and decided to give them a try. We were not disappointed at all. They held up very well while baking, and didn’t get too dry or brittle. I had a couple of bites where the crust tasted a little sweet, but that may have just been in my head. Overall, the crust was good, and I would definitely give it another go.

Also, the size was comparable to any pizza you'd get out at a restaurant. I would definitely eat this pizza again!

Review: Dr. Lucy's Gluten Free Cookies

As I was reading Living Without magazine a couple of weeks ago, I saw an ad for Dr. Lucy’s cookies that said they were being sold at Whole Foods and Starbucks now. I checked at the local Whole Foods when we went shopping there once, but I didn’t see them. I figured that I’d have to find them there, because I almost never go to Starbucks. Oddly enough, Brandie had a meeting at Starbucks for a charity event that she was volunteering for, and she asked me to come along. As I was ordering Brandie’s and my drinks, I remembered the ad, and started looking for the Dr. Lucy’s. I found the chocolate chip cookies and bought myself a bag. They were very good. They reminded me of Chips Ahoy cookies from my pre-GF days. Now, while I was not a fan of Chips Ahoy when I could eat them, finding a cookie that tastes good, is GF, and decently priced, as the Dr. Lucy’s were, I have to give them a thumbs up. I got 4 or 5 average-sized cookies for a little under $2 (before tax), at Starbucks, which makes these cookies not only GF, but also relatively inexpensive and widely available.

-Tommie

October: Product of the Month

What: ThinkThin bars
Where: Trader Joe's and Whole Foods
Cost: $1.69
Why: They're yummy and they have great GF options.

There are also Think Pink, Think Organic, Think5 Nutrition, Think Green Superfood, Think Energy, and Think Protein bars.

Cool fact: this company not only thinks about nutrition, they are environmentally conscious. Check out their website at : http://www.thinkproducts.com/thin-bars.php

Whole Foods October Events

Saturday, October 10th NORA & CARMEL (4-6PM)
Oktoberfest
12-2pm FREE
Enjoy spiced apple cider, samples throughout the store, pumpkin decorating for the kids, live polka music outside & more!

Sunday, October 18th CARMEL
Gluten Free Cooking
1-2:30pm FREE
Get gluten free cooking tips each month from Sandy Haney. She lives a gluten free lifestyle and loves to cook! Come enjoy samples of Macaroni and Cheese, Dairy Free Biscuits and Tiramisu. RSVP at 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.

Wednesday, October 21st NORA: Thursday, October 15th CARMEL
Gluten Free Store Tour
6-7:30pm FREE
Are you living the gluten free (GF) lifestyle and not sure what to eat? Join Sarah Smith to learn about all of the great GF products available in each department, learn how to label read, find out what resources are available & enjoy samples too! RSVP to reserve your space at Eighty-Sixth St call the Customer Service Desk at 706.0900.

Thursday, October 29th NORA: Thursday, October 8th CARMEL
Smart Shopper Tour
6-7:30pm FREE
Want to make healthier choices, but don't know where to start? This store tour is for you! Sarah Smith will show you how to shop smart and dish out some samples too! Learn how to label read, when to buy organic, decipher buzz words like antioxidant, learn what questions to ask your butcher, how to choose healthy snacks, the importance of eco-cleaners, all-natural body care products, fiber and more! Meet at the front of the store. RSVP for 86th St. at the Customer Service Desk 317.706.0900.

Ah,...what would we do without Whole Foods?

86th St. Store: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/eightysixthst/storecalendar.phpSunday, Tuesday, March 17th
Gluten Free Store Tour
6-7:30pm FREE
Are you living the gluten free (GF) lifestyle and not sure what to eat? Join Sarah Smith to learn about all of the great GF products available in each department, learn how to label read, find out what resources are available & enjoy samples too! RSVP to reserve your space at Eighty-Sixth St: 706.0900. Leave message for Sarah Smith.


Sunday, March 29th
Gluten Free Sampling
1-3pm FREE
Sandy Haney, gluten free food enthusiast, samples gluten free foods while you shop! Stop by and get product recommendations & tips from someone who lives the lifestyle. This month enjoy samples of Pesto Pasta Salad, 365 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake & Gluten Free Non-Dairy Ice Cream with a Berry Sauce. (Drop in sampling event. No RSVP needed.)


Carmel Store:
http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/carmel/storecalendar.php
Wednesday, March 18th
Gluten Free Store Tour
6-7:30pm FREE
Are you living the gluten free (GF) lifestyle and not sure what to eat? Join Sarah Smith to learn about all of the great GF products available in each department, learn how to label read, find out what resources are available & enjoy samples too! RSVP to reserve your space at Carmel: 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.

Thursday, March 19th
Superfoods: Easy Recipes
6-7:30pm FREE
Superfoods are nutrient-dense and help to fight disease. Join Kathie Gullick for this presentation to learn about various superfoods and enjoy samples of Avocado Salad, a Fresh Veggie Juice, a Blended Soup and a Hemp Protein Shake. Please RSVP at 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.

Sunday, March 22nd
Gluten Free Cooking
1-2:30pm FREE
Get gluten free cooking tips each month from someone who lives the lifestyle & loves to cook! This month Sandy Haney comforts and warms you with Spicy Bean Soup, Homemade Teff Foccacia and 365 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake with Berry Sauce. Please RSVP at 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.

Wednesday, March 25th
Shopping on a Budget
6-7:30pm FREE
Eating great food doesn't have to break your budget. If you think higher quality always means higher price, think again! We offer real food, free of artificial ingredients and hydrogenated fats, at the best possible prices. Take our store tour for an overview of the great values we offer everyday as well as some valuable tips on stretching your dollar. Enjoy samples too! Meet at the front of the store. RSVP to reserve your space at Carmel: 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.

Hoorah for Whole Foods!!!!!

86th St. Store: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/eightysixthst/storecalendar.php
Sunday, February 15th
Gluten Free Sampling
6-7:30pm FREE
Sandy Haney, gluten free food enthusiast, samples gluten free foods while you shop! Stop by and get product recommendations & tips from someone who lives the lifestyle. This month enjoy a comforting & warming food samples: Spicy Bean Soup, Homemade Bread & chocolate desserts.

Thursday, February 19th
Gluten Free Store Tour
6-7:30pm FREE
Are you living the gluten free (GF) lifestyle and not sure what to eat? Join Sarah Smith to learn about all of the great GF products available in each department, learn how to label read, find out what resources are available & enjoy samples too! Meet at the front of the store. RSVP to reserve space at Eighty-Sixth St: 706.0900. Leave message for Sarah Smith

Carmel store: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/carmel/
Sunday, February 8th
Gluten Free Cooking
1-2:30pm FREE
Get gluten free cooking tips each month from someone who lives the lifestyle & loves to cook! This month Sandy Haney comforts and warms you with Spicy Bean Soup, Homemade Bread & many chocolate desserts in honor of Valentine's Day: 365 Gluten Free Chocolate Cake, Brownies & Chocolate Bars. Please RSVP at 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.

Monday, February 23rd
Gluten Free Store Tour
6-7:30pm FREE
Are you living the gluten free (GF) lifestyle and not sure what to eat? Join Sarah Smith to learn about all of the great GF products available in each department, learn how to label read, find out what resources are available & enjoy samples too! Meet at the front of the store. RSVP to reserve space at Carmel: 569.1517. Leave message for Sarah Smith.

Hooray for Whole Foods and Sarah Smith!!!!!

Whole Foods GF Calendar - November

I'm a slacker, I know. This information is kind of last minute, I apologize:

Sunday, November 23rd
Gluten Free Thanksgiving
1-3pm FREE
Sandy Haney will be dishing up gluten free foods while you shop. This month enjoy a sampling from her Thanksgiving menu including Gluten Free Stuffing, Namaste Spice Cake and Pumpkin Pie!
*Note - this is at the Nora location (86th & Michigan)

Wednesday, November 19th
Value Tour
6-7:30pm FREE
Eating great food doesn't have to break your budget. Join Sarah Smith for some valuable tips on stretching your dollar and getting the most for your money at Whole Foods Market. Enjoy samples too! Meet at the front of the store. RSVP to reserve your space at Carmel: 569.1517. Leave a message for Sarah Smith.
*Note - this is not particularly a GF event, but can be very helpful. This is at the Carmel store.
Personal note - Sarah is awesome!!! For those of you who use to go to the GF classes at the Nora store, you understand how much Sarah helps the GF community with her positive attitude and vast amount of knowledge.

Product Review: Pamela's Baking & Pancake Mix

Tommie and I had one of those weeks - a stressful week full of 'have to's' and 'need to's' - so we decided to treat ourselves to a yummy breakfast of pancakes in our p.j.s. Well, this weekend we searched in the pantry and decided to make some Pamela's pancakes. Now we are big fans of Pamela's brownies - they're delicious and last longer then most GF brands. Plus Pamela's is one of those staples that you can find at most local stores (including Georgetown Market, Whole Foods and some of the Krogers and Meijers among others). I can't tell you why it has taken us so long to attempt Pamela's pancakes but believe me when I say we'll be eating them again.

This weekend I made the pancake mix as directed by the package - I didn't make any of my own changes. The directions are easy to understand and you only need the basic GF additives - an egg, oil, water, etc. The pancakes cook up quickly, like gluten-ful pancakes and the texture was spot on.

There were slight (absolutely minor) details though and here are my suggestions on how to get the best pancake out of the mix:
1. add a little salt to the mix - the pancakes were a little bland and some salt would bring out the flavor of the flours more
2. the mix is pretty thick so don't just plop some batter on the griddle - you'll need to move it around; the mix will not thin out and the inside of your pancake will not be cooked while the outside is.
3. do not apply syrup and let the pancakes sit - I would wait to put syrup on them until you're ready to eat, especially if you add a bucket of syrup to your pancakes like Tommie does. The pancakes will start to dissolve and you're left more with a syrup-pancake puddle.

Other then that - I give Pamela's pancakes a 4 out of 5! They're easy and yummy. If you add some salt, I bet your breakfast guests wouldn't even know they were GF. Price: this product can run anywhere from around $4.00 - $6.00 depending on where you shop. If you would like to learn more about Pamela's brand foods you can visit their website at: http://www.pamelasproducts.com/index.html

October Product of the Month

Last night I noticed that the expiration date on our eggs was quickly approaching so I decided to do some baking in hopes of finding a GF product of the month. Well, the winner is......

Whole Foods's GF Chocolate Chip Cookie Mix

The mix was very easy and quick to prepare - this would be a great project to ask children to help with. I started off by making individual cookies, but then realized that I only had one sheet of parchment paper (the instructions requires that you bake the cookies on parchment paper) left and decided to make a giant cookie.

Here's the catch: the mix is very segmented and requires that you form balls out of the dough. When I made the sheet cookie, I just smashed the dough together rather lazily and therefore when it was done baking the cookie crumbled in the places where the dough wasn't packed. So, next time I'm making a sheet cookie, I'll just form the dough into one big ball and make sure everything is good and smashed together, then I'll place it on the cookie shoot and smooth it out. Did I complicate that enough for you? :P

Point is, this is a great gluten-free product and for the price, you might as well give it a try.

Sorry about not having any pictures of the cookies - they went pretty quick.

Enjoy!!!

Whole Foods takes over Wild Oats

Wild Oats and Whole Foods made their mark in society by bringing the words 'organic' and 'natural' to mainstream America. It is safe to say that no matter what your food allergy or intolerance may be - these stores carried something you could eat. When I heard that Whole Foods was buying out Wild Oats I had mixed emotions. Although Indianapolis has various small health food stores (two thumbs up to Georgetown Market), we normally shopped for most of our GF products at Wild Oats or Trader Joes. Our only experiences with Whole Woods consisted of our two trips to Chicago to see family and even though they were good experiences, we had become partial to Wild Oats. We knew the staff of Wild Oats, they were tireless in their effort to help us find GF products. Was that all going to go away when Whole Foods came strolling into town?

The answer? I'm happy to say that Whole Foods may have even improved on the foundation that Wild Oats built here. The private label products: 365 are fantastic and, this is the kicker, cheaper then more of their GF counterparts!!! My husband and I recently tried the 365 GF Pancake mix and it was even better then the Kinnikinnick mix. The mix cost about $3.65 (I wonder if if that is a coincidence) and easy to prepare. So next time you're hankering for a big plate of pancakes, head on over to Wild Oats,.. I mean Whole Foods and pick you up a bag of mix.

GF Product of the Month

Gillian's GF Frozen Pizza Dough

"What am I going to do about pizza?" This is often the first thought by many who are diagnosed with CD. Well, after years of trying numerous brands and homemade concoctions - we have found a really great pizza crust! Gillian's Foods makes a great GF frozen pizza dough and it can be found in pretty much every state (granted you may have to drive a ways to get it) and you can even order it online!

Simply leave in the fridge the night before you want to use it and roll it out like a regular pizza dough. Have some flour ready because like normal dough, it will get sticky once it starts to heat up to room temperature. Place on a baking dish, add your favorite sauce and toppings - and voila!...about 13 minutes later you have a pizza that you would swear could be full of gluten it tastes so good. Don't worry about writing all of this down - the directions are on the back of the bag.

Now if most of you are like my husband, you miss stuffed crust pizza. Not to worry - this frozen pizza dough works great for that as well. Just buy some mozzi sticks and cut them lengthwise roll the crust over the cheese and there you go - you now have stuffed crust pizza. Of course you would want to complete this step before you add the sauce and toppings - unless you like to be messy and then hey - have it your way.

As far as price - it is actually pretty good. One roll of dough will run you about $4.80 (this is a Midwest price) and the dough has a freezer life of about six months. This is the only GF freezer dough I have found and it is much better then actual pre-made GF crusts and much cheaper.

More information about this product and others made by Gillians can be found at their website:
http://www.gilliansfoods.com/