Link to GF article in the Indianapolis Star

http://www.indystar.com/article/20100120/LIVING07/1200312/-1/NLETTER10?source=nletter-food

It's been a long time...

I have not been very diligent when it comes to updating this blog and I'm hoping to spend more time on it this year. I just recently finished my LPN studies and will take my boards this month. If everything goes as planned, I will jump back in this fall for 2 more semesters and complete my RN courses. I then plan on not going to school for a long time. :)

Tommie is doing well, he is still a Vet Tech student a Purdue and is taking Advanced Physiology and Pharmacy Procedures this semester. He is doing very well with both school and staying GF.

I hope to be posting some recipes and pictures soon, I hope all is well.

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.

Ahh...Betty Crocker

About a month ago, my great aunt Lera sent me an email saying that she had seen a Betty Crocker GF cake mix in her local store. I thought of course she must be hallucinating - but no, she wasn't! Lera lives in Texas and they were about a month ahead of us Hoosiers, and I must say that Tommie and I were jealous.

Tommie and I have tried the brownies and the chocolate-chip cookies, give us time and I'm sure we'll try all of them. I must say - both were DE-LICIOUS!!!! If the great texture and taste weren't enough - the cost wasn't that bad either. Could this be a turning of the tide? Could mainstream America be noticing the GF community? We can only hope!!!

If you would like information about Betty Crocker's mixes and recipes, you can click on the following link: http://www.bettycrocker.com/products/gluten-free/

The above image was also found on this site.

Our vote: 5 out of 5 stars!

Wow - such a long time.

Life has been busy and evidence of that is the fact that I haven't posted a blog in a long long time. A lot of great GF products have been introduced to the new market and I'll be posting reviews shortly.

Also - Suzanne Stocklin held a great meeting at Clarian North this past Sunday discussing GF option in international cuisine. Her presentation was fantastic! My hats off to both Susanne and Clarian North for hosting such a great event.

Earth Hour

Saturday, March 28th
Earth Hour
8:30-9:30pm FREE
Earth Hour is a worldwide climate change initiative in which people across the globe turn off their lights for one hour to save energy and show their support for environmental protection. You can take part without sitting home in the dark! We too will turn off some of our lights, and we invite you to shop in a more relaxed setting. The first 75 customers shopping this hour will receive a free flashlight. To learn more, visit earthhourus.com

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.

Noodles and Company

Tommie and I LOVE Noodles and Company!!! Most of you in the community know about their great pad thai noodles and how willing the staff is to work with you on preparing a gluten-free meal. Well, I wanted to make sure that everyone knows about their birthday club. Tommie has this habit of signing up for the birthday club coupons for every restaurant we go to (Texas Roadhouse, Coldstone Creamery, etc.). And the great thing is, every year on his birthday he has about 3-4 free entrees at to select from. This year we decided to go to Noodles and Company and you gotta love getting free meal just for being born! If you love this place as much as we do, you should definitely sign up, it is totally worth it.

You can sign up for a 'noodlegram' by going to their website:
http://www.noodles.com/

Tommie's 34th!!!

Tommie's 34th birthday is Monday, the 16th and we had a chance to celebrate this milestone with his family. Here is Tommie on the 'birthday saddle' at Texas Roadhouse. He enjoyed a great GF dinner, followed by a ride on the wild side. Happy birthday sweetheart!!!