96th St Steakburgers

A couple of weeks ago, I saw on the Gluten Free Indy listserv that 96th Street Steakburgers was offering Udi’s GF buns. I begged and pleaded with Brandie to try it out, and she finally relented. I got a triple steakburger with just cheese on a Udi’s bun, with a large fries and drink. It was awesome. It was like getting all the deliciousness of a Steak ‘n’ Shake burger (on a bun, no less) with Penn Station or 5 Guys fries. I absolutely loved it. Brandie was not as pleased with the French fries, but she does not love potatoes like I love potatoes. It wasn’t too badly priced either. I will have to convince Brandie to head over to the Northeast Indy/Carmel area more often, so we can be near 96th Street Steakburgers.

GF Expo in Carmel

Just wanted to remind everyone that the 'Gluten Free Living Now' Expo is coming up:

October 7-9, 2011 10a-5pm

The Fountains

502 Carmel Drive

Carmel, IN 46032

Admission is free, but they would like for people to RSVP (which you can do on their website, see link below). Ticket purchase is required for lectures and speakers include:
-Dr. Fasano of CFCR
-Alice Blast from NFCA
-Mrs. Alaska 2011
-Pam Cureton, RD, LDN, CFCR
-Dr. Vikki and Rick Petersen, DC, CCN

This should be very exciting, hope everyone can attend.
http://www.glutenfreelivingnow.org/Gluten_Free_Living_EXPO.html

Jovial Foods: Inherently Good

Another one of our finds at Angelo's was jovial cookies. Now I purchased these cookies in Tommie's absence but figured since we're both willing to try new things that we better give this brand a shot. There were two types of cookie at the store: chocolate cream filled and fig fruit filled. Now I should have purchased both, but I knew that Tommie would like the chocolate and not the fig. Of course, I love fig and if I get the chance to purchase them I will do so and let you know how it goes.

We decided to try the cookies before doing any research on the company. The box was quite informative: the product was organic, and a product of Italy. The company's catch phrase is 'inherently good' and so we were ready to taste. The cookies come two to a package, which I loved because they were already portioned and it would be easy to just through a package in a lunchbox or bag. The outside of the cookies are crispy and yummy, but then the best part is the middle - chocolate fudge!!!! Now I absolutely loved these cookies! Tommie however was a little less impressed. There is somewhat of a coffee taste and he despises coffee flat out. Of course I had no problem finishing the small box over the next month.

Now to the company: they want to revive ancient grains and entrust this to local farmers. Their company is much bigger than just gluten-free, but to my surprise their website hosts a lot of gluten-free content. The website is very user-friendly, clean, and makes me want to run downstairs and cook up some pasta. As I was reading through the website I became a little depressed, afraid that I would not find any local vendors, but alas, the Indy and Carmel gluten-free distributors are coming through. You can find jovial products at the following stores:

-Georgetown Market
4375 Georgetown Rd Indianapolis , IN 46254
317-293-9525

-The Fresh Market
5415 N. College Ave. Indianapolis, IN 46220
317.259.9270

-Whole Foods Market
14598 Clay Terrace Blvd Carmel, IN 46032
317-569-1517

-The Fresh Market
2490 East 146th Street Carmel, IN 46033
317.815.1970

-Nature's Pharm: Indianapolis
8215 US Highway 31 South Indianapolis, IN 46227
317-888-0557

I would highly suggest trying the cookies and you better believe that I will be hunting down some of their other gluten-free products!!! I am so excited. http://www.jovialfoods.com/

Schar lady finger cookies

When sitting down to write this entry I reminded of the Meijer commercial in which a little girl is asked to eat a name brand spinach and she reacts by making a sour face and saying 'yuck'. She is then given a store brand mouthful of spinach and to our amazement she has the same reaction. Well, folks, that is my response to Schar lady fingers.

I must admit that I am not a fan of lady fingers, gluteny or not. I wouldn't pay for them, heck I wouldn't even eat them if they were free and baked by a close friend. I would even argue that if on a deserted island and they were my last means of food, I would try to catch fish before succumbing to the anguish that is lady fingers.

That being said, when Tommie saw Schar lady fingers at Angelo's he really wanted to try them; mainly because he had never had a lady finger. So, of course we bought a box. When he opened them he offered me a bite and so I tried a piece. I know, I know, you're wondering after all of that complaining I did in paragraph two why in the world I would try a lady finger. Well folks, one of two things happens when you try food. 1 - you take a bite and you like it. 2 - you take a bite and you don't like it. Either way, the whole experience is usually over with in a couple of seconds and you know at least know your feelings on a certain item.

So my reaction was much akin to the girl in the Meijer commercial. I looked at Tommie and with a somewhat sour face stated, "yep - taste like a lady finger". That is the best I can do for you with this one. They look, feel, and taste like a lady finger. Perhaps a little bit spongier so if you're going to make tiramisu or some kind of layered mouse or fluff dessert I wouldn't soak them as long, but other then that - they're pretty darn close to the real thing.

Here is the real kicker - if you do like lady fingers and want to buy this product - I'm not sure where you could get it. The Indianapolis market doesn't have a lot of Schar products and because Angelo's market reaches much farther than our own, that is where they found it. You could always call up Angelo's and see if they have more in stock and of course there is the Schar website which can give you answers on locations nearest you: www.schar.com

Review: Carrabba's Italian Grill

We went to Carrabba’s on Saturday night for an early Mother’s Day celebration with my mom. I downloaded the gluten-free menu the day before, and decided that I was going to get the Pollo Rosa Maria if I could get it with Marinara sauce instead of the mushroom and lemon butter sauce. When we arrived, the server was very helpful with my sister (she's GF also) and my orders, making sure to indicate that they were to be gluten-free. He spoke with the kitchen staff to make sure that the Marinara was safe, and that they could replace the Pollo Rosa Maria’s usual sauce with the Marinara. My sister, Kristen, and I both had that with garlic mashed potatoes and Mama Mandola’s Sicilian Chicken Soup (without pasta).

It was delicious. I don’t get to eat at Carrabba’s very often, and I slightly prefer Maggiano’s since they have a gluten-free pasta available, but I will definitely be looking forward to the next time we have a family outing at Carraba’s.

Overall, I give Carrabbas 4 out of 5 stars - they'll earn 5 out of 5 when they add some GF pasta to the menu.

http://www.carrabbas.com/ restaurant site
http://www.carrabbas.com/menu/pdf/GFmenu.pdf GF menu

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.