Those of us in the audience who’d had Joan’s wonderful bagels, laughed in unison. Unlike the child, who had never eaten a gluten bagel, we knew that Joan’s bagels tasted like ‘real’ bagels. The child had no idea what a real bagel tasted like because her whole life, she’d only had had gluten-free bagels. Based on her comment about Joan’s exceptional product, whatever the child grew up eating apparently didn’t taste much like a gluten bagel.

Dee Valdez, also known as Gluten Free Dee, who recently launched the first gluten-free food bank in the U.S., implores us all to take bad gluten-free food back to the store. Dee’s idea is fabulous and I’ve personally taken bad tasting food back to stores several times I’ve also requested refunds from internet sites when whatever I purchased tasted like what I assume cardboard does. Just make sure you know the return policies of the stores you shop at before heading back with your styrofoam tasting buns for a refund. Many smaller stores tend to have unforgiving return policies. In our area, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, Publix and Kroger have extremely customer friendly return policies.   

The entire plan of Dee’s about returning bad food is particularly smart. Sure it’s great to get your money back, especially these days when most of us are watching our pennies tightly. Dee also explains that if people return bad tasting food to stores, eventually there might be a pattern that stores will pick up on. They might notice that products from a certain company or the same products are continually being returned by unhappy customers. Some large companies get their gluten-free products into stores simply because they are a large company. The taste of the items has nothing to do with anything. If companies make bad or sub par tasting products, they don’t deserve the store shelf space, particularly if there are five better products in the same product category available.

The average gluten-free consumer is spending anywhere from 20-60% more for gluten-free replacement foods than gluten shoppers spend on their food. Do the math. That’s a LOT of extra money just for food. Who would think someone would be forced to pay their bills or buy gluten-free food? Well, it happens and more often than most of us would like to think. Hence the need for gluten-free food  banks.

The gluten-free food bank program that Dee kicked off in Colorado last week is something to be commended and hopefully the program will spread to all the areas where there is a need for it. Take Dee’s challenge and take bad tasting food back and ask for a refund. Just think – you could possibly use the extra money to donate something to a gluten-free food program in your area, or even a regular food bank. It is the season for giving and giving to someone who needs food – of any kind – is a worthwhile cause indeed.

Special thanks to Gluten Free Dee for being an inspiration to others and for reminding us that just because we can’t eat gluten, doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy amazingly delicious food! 

You are reading Get Your Money Back for Bad Tasting Food. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

I have been using Progresso Creamy Mushroom Soup for a couple of years, but it has always been hard to find. I would normally buy 5 or 6 cans at a time whenever I could find it at a local store. I recently found an entire end-cap of Creamy Mushroom and French Onion (both gluten-free) soup at the Super Wal-Mart in Longmont. The section was at the front of the store, by the registers, on the food side, so really no where near the soup aisle. Just a reminder to keep your eyes open when you are shopping! I am not sure why they put these two flavors out, or why they were up front, but I was really glad because I wouldn’t have gone through the soup aisle looking for them, since they are normally not there. So, I stocked up on both soup flavors! I use the Creamy Mushroom to make Green bean casserole for the holidays. At Thanksgiving my family wanted the “regular” casserole too, so they made the one with the gluten-filled fried onions. Well, my casserole was complete eaten! I love this simple recipe. It requires very few ingredients, but you can always add other ingredients as you wish. Feel free to play around with this very easy recipe.

The Progresso Creamy Mushroom Soup has “gluten-free” on the label! The French Onion soup is also labeled gluten-free.

I have a very simple recipe. You can tweak it however you would like, by adding nuts (like shaved almonds instead of the gluten-free fried onions), or other spices. Use your imagination!

Very Easy Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole:

• 1 large can of French cut green beans
• 1 can Progresso Creamy Mushroom Soup (it is not condensed, so you don’t need to add liquid).
• 1  TBS Worcestershire sauce (Lea and Perrins is gluten-free)
• Salt and Pepper to taste.

Mix and top with fried onions (see *). Bake at 350 for about 30 min or until warm and bubbly.

*Fried Onions– I use plain fried onions from the Asian Seafood Market. 2833 28th St Boulder, CO 80301 (303) 541-9377. They come in a clear plastic container with a red lid and are just fried onions (no flour coating). You may be able to find these at other Asian Markets around the country. You can also check online stores like Amazon (see this listing for a similar product). If you are worried about what you will do with all of the left over onion, consider using it in a meatloaf recipe, topping a salad, or sprinkled on another casserole dish, like chicken and rice. The beauty of the simple fried onion is the light flavor. Enjoy!

You are reading Very Easy Gluten-Free Green Bean Casserole. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

Well, it seems that the spark of interest about celiac has fired up a lot of mainstream websites to post new articles on the condition and the best part is that some of them are mostly viewed by medical professionals. As most of us know, those are the people who really need an education about celiac since about 95% or so of people with the condition are walking around undiagnosed today.

Until medical professionals know what to look for in terms of celiac conditions, the diagnosis rates will not increase as quickly as they need to. As Dr. Green has explained many times, if doctors are taught in school that they will rarely see a patient with celiac, it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. You have to be looking for something in order to find it. The average doctor in this country knows little about celiac and unfortunately, much of what they do know is outdated information.    

• This Reuters article is a good start to get people talking celiac disease testing methods. It explains the increase in the diagnosis rates after the introduction of the antibody tests several years ago.       
• Medical News Today did a nice piece on the new General Mills gluten-free website, Live Gluten Freely. It’s interesting that it posted on December 10th, the day of the Dr. Oz show about celiac.
• This New York Times article might be the most read of all, due to the fact that they have a larger audience than the other online sites.   
• The article from The Journal of the American Academy of Physician Assistants website highlights why celiac symptoms are so often overlooked by doctors. Every doctor should understand the information in the below excerpt from that article. I’ve had more than one doctor tell me that untreated celiac does not in any way increase one’s risk of any type of cancer.  

Complications associated with celiac disease include iron deficiency anemia, osteoporosis, and a modest increase in the risk of GI cancers and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Everybody Eats Sticky Bun

Last but not least, this article about one of my favorite  gluten-free bakeries, Everybody Eats, in NYC was posted on YourNabe.com. If you have not tried the amazing Sticky (cinnamon) Buns from this bakery yet, you might want to treat yourself for the holidays. The product is better than T.J. Cinnamon’s and Cinnabons gluten buns.  We’ve tried seven gluten-free brands of similar products at our house and have determined that the Everybody Eats version is not just the best gluten-free cinnamon bun – it’s the best cinnamon bun we’ve ever had!

You are reading Celiac Disease News Coverage on the Rise. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

Neighborhood Grocery Stores

Believe it or not, many local grocery stores are now carrying gluten-free pasta, bread, and cookies. In some cases, stores are even labeling their private brands with “gluten-free.” Wal-mart labels their Great Value brand pizza sauce “gluten-free,” along with some more obvious things, like canned veggies and cottage cheese. Kroger (King Soopers) is making a real effort to carry a variety of gluten-free foods, including breads and frozen meals (in some locations). In Longmont, CO, King Soopers is carrying Amy’s frozen meals, Pamela’s cookies, and Udi’s bread. Usually, the average family grocery store is less expensive than the big name organic and specialty stores. When you visit the neighborhood grocery store for eggs and butter, check the aisles for new gluten-free additions.

Note: For help finding grocery stores in your area that carry gluten-free items, check out our gluten-free groceries by state page. 

Online Deals

Online shopper? There are some great deals online. Kinnikinnick products are yummy, but sometimes hard to find. Thankfully, you can order all of their products on their website, and they offer $10.00 flat-rate shipping cost and monthly specials. If you have any experience with Amazon.com you know they offer some great deals, like 33% off of a 3 pack of Pamela’s Baking Mix. You have to buy in bulk, but if you have a freezer, or a large family, the savings are worth it. Amazon.com offers Free Super Saver shipping on many items, which usually takes 5-9 business days. If you are a frequent Amazon.com shopper, they offer the Prime Membership for $79.00 per year, and you get free two-day shipping, or one-day shipping for just $3.99 per item, which could save you money if you shop on Amazon.com often. Sign-up for emails from your favorite companies which may include coupons, recipes, and online specials.

Shop Smart

Some things are obvious, like fresh produce, beef, butter, milk (cow, soy, rice…) and can easily be purchased, usually for less, at your local grocery store. Remember to read labels and buy products that you can get at the neighborhood stores that are naturally gluten-free, and save the specialty stores for the specialty products. Look for your favorite products online, and buy in bulk at a discount.

Clip Coupons

You may find coupons for gluten-free foods online or in magazines, but don’t forget the coupons for cleaning products and hygiene products in the weekly newspaper. If you can save on the other grocery items, the gluten-free goodies won’t seem like such an expense.

You are reading Simple Money Saving Strategies for the Gluten-free Shopper. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

How did Island Gluten-Free Bakery come to exist?

In November 2006, we had started a holistic bakery.  A lady, Stella Peters, came into the bakery one day.  She had just found out she had Celiac disease and asked if I would bake something gluten free for her. Although I do not have a culinary degree, know nothing about chemistry, I love to experiment. So I said I would try.  I did not have a clue what gluten was, much less what xanthan gum does for gluten-free baked goods!  She gave me a list of flours she could have. I purchased them, used an old recipe and she loved it.  “This is great, not dry or crumbly”, she said.  More people came and since that day we hear the same from everyone…including gluten eating spouses!  After researching the stats I got chill bumps thinking about how huge this market could be.  We knew baking solely gluten and wheat free would limit our market, but after reading about the contamination issues, we decided to continue as an exclusively gluten free/wheat free bakery.    

It seems that in addition to everything at the bakery being gluten-free, many things are also dairy free. How do you create such amazing baked goods without butter?

It has everything to do with the formulation.  At first we used butter, milk and egg.  As time went on the demand for dairy free, casein free and egg free arose.  Although we don’t make everything egg free we are able to make some of our products either way.  We made our first gluten, wheat, egg and dairy free cake for a little 2 year old girl two years ago.  She had never had a birthday cake.  The formulation is so great all I did was leave out the eggs and dairy and increase the water.  Another little boy we bake for has 26 food allergies- egg, dairy, canola oil, coconut, and rice among them.  His mom was in tears when she came in. Since brown rice and coconut flour is in my all purpose flour mixture, I declined.  My sister Kim suggested I try using the bread formulation.  It turned out great and we now use it for some of our sugar-free customers who have cancer.  We have become somewhat a specialized bakery.  Almost every day we get a new request. Generally speaking, baking gluten free & wheat free is easy compared to the challenges many parents and kids face due to multiple food allergies.   

Do you sell your mixes so that people who can’t get fresh products from you can make fabulous treats at home?

We do sell our mixes, although the greatest demand is for fresh baked goods.  We have several people inquiring about purchasing our flour mix in bulk so they can use it in their own bakery back home.  We ship our mixes, fresh baked products and some frozen items all over the U.S.A. The farthest to date is California and Canada.  We ship two day service anywhere out of state, except Georgia.  The majority of Georgia residents are able to take advantage of the ground shipping rate and receive the product in one or two days.  In state shipments are sent UPS ground and received next day. 

You use a lot of healthy grains in your products but those tend to cost more than the most commonly used gluten-free flours and starches. What prompted the decision to spend more on ingredients, making your products cost a little more than some others on the market?

From the beginning we decided to use healthier ingredients primarily because of our ethics.  Researching the statistics that stated so many unhealthy gluten free items are on the market, this reinforced our decision.  I was astonished by the fact that so many products consisted solely of carbohydrates.  Our emphasis is and always has been on creating healthier, holistic gluten-free products.  Had this not been our objective our unique formulation may not have transpired.   We have not faltered from our original goal, to keep it healthier, use whole grains, unrefined sugars and organics when feasible. Since many in the autistic group are on the gluten/wheat/dairy/casein/egg free diet, this has been a wise choice.  Additional requirements are no preservative, unrefined sugars, no food coloring, etc…all of which we adhere to.

 

Island GF Bakery waffle

Special thanks to Karen for her time and to the entire dedicated crew at this phenomenal bakery! If you are in GA or FL, ground shipping will get these incredible Island Gluten Free Bakery treats to you in 1-2 days. Our favorite items are the cinnamon raisin bread (think Sun Maid gluten bread), mini muffins, carrot cake (ships unfrosted only), French bread, buns and new waffles.  The buns are the only version I’ve ever been able to eat unheated. We use the French baguettes for Philly cheese steak sandwiches and the waffles are like gluten versions in high end restaurants.

The products from this bakery are exceptional and the key lime pie is the best version I’ve had, including all gluten versions. I’m just wondering when Five Guys is going to start offering the Island Gluten Free Bakery’s amazing buns. Then we can have a burger WITH a bun and gluten-free fries all at one place!

You are reading Interview with Owner of Island Gluten Free Bakery. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

Gluten-Free Trading Company first opened in 2000 and is located in the historic Bay View area of Milwaukee. They also ship their products worldwide. They are only minutes from the Milwaukee airport, so whenever I find myself dropping off or picking up, I make a stop at this treat of a store.

I have to admit, it is nice to walk into a food store where everything is 100% OK for me to eat, and nothing is off limits. Of course, this may not be the case if you have other food intolerances or allergies, but you can be assured that gluten will not be an issue here. I could also easily spend an hour in the store just looking at every product. Thankfully, they have a small area set up for children to play or draw, and with my young daughter, that works perfectly. She can play, and I can browse without hearing, “are you done yet?”

One thing that really impresses me about the Gluten-Free Trading Company is their selection. Not only do they have brands I have never heard of, and products from local companies, but they also have a wide array of international products, from Hungarian corn pasta to English tea cakes to Spanish crackers. They have flours and baking mixes by several different companies from Pamela’s to smaller companies, such as Breads from Anna to Cause You’re Special. They also have beverages from juice to beer; frozen goods, such as rosemary baguettes by Against the Grain, Udi’s bread and baked goods from Life Beyond Wheat; an international selection of cereals, pastas, cookies and crackers; and baby food, vitamins and communion wafers, and much more.  They carry some mainstream products such as Chex and Annie’s, but for the most part they carry foods from smaller manufactures and many organic products.  For a complete list of their products by category and brand, go here.

Some of their international brands with large selections include Barkat (UK), Harisín (Spain), Orgran (Australia), Schär (Italy), Sunstart (Northern Ireland), PatsyPie and Glutino (both Canada), among many others.

It can be overwhelming, at first, so give yourself some time to be able to look at everything and take it all in carefully, and to ask questions.  I love to ask what the current popular items are.

The negative about the Gluten-Free Trading Company is namely the price.  And for me, price is a big decision-maker. I found many of the prices were significantly higher than not only my local grocery stores, but even from Whole Foods.  And while I am all for supporting local businesses, especially one with a cause so close to my heart, the prices of some of the items were extremely prohibitive.  When I saw that the Pamela’s Baking & Pancake mix was $2 more than it was at Whole Foods, and several other items marked up, I decided I would only buy food items I could not find anywhere else that were reasonably priced.  Though something I don’t find reasonable may be reasonable for someone else.

This most recent trip, I came away with a bag full of some international items, as well as my favorite pasta by Le Veneziane, which I have not been able to find elsewhere, except online.  I was about to buy a box of tea cookies, since I miss having those English treats with my tea, but when I discovered it was $10.59 for a 5.9 oz box, of probably 6-8 small cookies, I decided to put them back.  At the register were some amazing looking cookies, including black and white cookies, so I thought I would grab one to eat on the car ride home, but when I discovered one black and white cookie was $3.59, I thought I misheard it, but it was correct, and there was no way I was going to spend that much on one cookie that I can most likely bake better at home.

After doing some research, I found the same tea cakes by Barkat online in England for £4.45, which is equal to $7.22, so the $10.59 is quite a mark-up even with the shipping costs.  I just could not justify that purchase.

Overall, I really do love this place, and I think it is a great service to the gluten-free community.  So far, everyone I have spoken to in the store seems extremely helpful and knowledgeable and they carry such a wide, impressive selection.  Unfortunately, the prices can be prohibitive and many of the more well-known items can be found at other stores less expensively.  However, I will continue to shop here for select items, and take note of items to look for elsewhere.  The Gluten-Free Trading Company is definitely worth a trip, just be sure you are prepared to spend.

You are reading Review: Gluten-Free Trading Company in Milwaukee. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

Some background information about Italy and celiac disease.  All Italian children get tested for the Celiac Disease at an early age and if the disease is found, then the person is entitled to a stipend to buy gluten-free food for the rest of their lives.  Currently in 2009, for an adult, this works out to roughly 140 Euros every month.

In Italy the law says the gluten-free food must be available in schools, hospitals and in public places, so all pharmacies have shelves bulging with gluten-free foods ranging from pastas, bread, cakes, cookies and croissants “Cornettis Senza Glutine”.  In addition to the pharmacies you can look for “Castroni Stores”, these also stock a good selection of gluten-free food products!

If you decide to eat out for breakfast in a small  bar, make sure to take your own “Cornettis Senza Glutine” with you, just in case the bar doesn’t have them in stock. For lunch and dinner in larger restaurants, you will have no problems as a number of them have a separate gluten-free menu.  Be careful as vegetarian and gluten-free meals are quite often not marked as such, so ask.  They are usually extremely helpful in helping you to select dishes that are gluten-free.

Restaurant prices vary heavily in Italy (as they do all over the world) but here is a selection.  Some are exclusive and expensive while others are more reasonably priced.  This of course is a small selection from the many excellent restaurants, you will find in Rome. You might find it best to phone ahead and reserve your table, mentioning  ”Senza Glutine” when you reserve.

Here are a few locations in Italy which are confirmed to offer gluten-free food:

• Tulipano Restaurant, Via Roma Libera 15       Tel: 065818309   Excellent gluten-free pizzas.
• Arancia Blu Restaurant, Via Dei Latini 55 – 65    Tel: 064454105   Great for gluten-free pastas.

That should serve as a good introduction to eating gluten-free in Italy.  In my next post I’ll cover a larger selection of restaurants which offer a gluten-free menu so make sure you are subscribed to our feed so you get all of our updates!

You are reading An Introduction to Eating Gluten-Free in Rome (Roma) Italy. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

The Cream Sandwiches from the bakery are something I nicknamed gluten-free Moon Pies, even though they are really nothing like the old fashioned gluten treat. The cakes are much better then Moon Pies. These types of treats are often called whoopie pies which a more apt description. There are two small chocolate cakes with a creamy filling in the middle. Forgetting the shape, think Hostess Cupcakes with high quality ingredients. These treats are best when eaten fresh but they do freeze very well.

The Grainless Baker also has really good hot dog and hamburger buns which can be purchased online and locally at Atlantis Natural Foods and Return to Eden. If heated up just so – they will definitely remind you of a gluten containing bun. The Hoagierolls from the line work great for Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches.

The latest outstanding product from the bakery is their new Cheese Crackers. Until now, the only phenomenal cheese crackers I’ve found come from a bakery almost as far away from Atlanta as you can get and still be in the U.S. Sunny Valley Wheat Free Bakery in the state of Washington makes what can only be described as a gluten-free Cheeze-It cracker.

This new cracker from The Grainless Baker looks like a cracker but tastes more like a cheese straw. The only way I’ve known to enjoy a gluten-free cheese straw was to make them from scratch. They are fairly easy to make but for the most part I’d rather buy such a cracker than make them. For a party where a lot of them are needed, making them at home will save a bit of money. However, when looking for a cracker for just me (remember the gluten eater in our house doesn’t not care much for crackers) to snack on, this new item is exactly what I’ve been looking for. In fact, the search has lasted almost four years.

Recently, while doing an article about crackers in general, I spoke to Jane, the owner of The Grainless Baker. She mentioned she was going to introduce a cheese cracker that I’d flip over. All I can say is that Jane was right! If you liked cheese straws when you ate gluten and don’t care to make your own, consider asking your store to carry this outstanding new item from The Grainless Baker.

These special crackers will be going to TN with us next week. Even though I can’t necessarily afford to share them, the gluten eaters we’re staying with can nosh on Gold Fish crackers, after all. One thing is for sure – these delicious crackers are better than any Gold Fish cracker ever dreamed of being! Think Geraldine’s Cheese Straws -only gluten-free! The Cheese Crackers from The Grainless Baker are available at Return to Eden in Atlanta. Check the company’s website to find out if they are sold near you.  

Special thanks to Jane and the team at The Grainless Baker for creating such a special product for the gluten-free set. What a gift they are, and how fitting that they arrived just in time for the holidays!

You are reading Outstanding Gluten-free Cheese Crackers from The Grainless Baker. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

The first key to any trip is planning. Anticipate the number of meals spent at trusted restaurants, at the home of a family member or friend, or at the kitchenette at the hotel. Consider the number of days the trip will last, including travel time, and then the number of meals that will be spent at restaurants versus at home or at the hotel. Research restaurants that look interesting or offer a favorite gluten-free meal, and ensure their ability to serve gluten-free customers by checking their website for allergen information. Contact restaurants during non-peak hours and ask to speak with a manager if you are concerned about their ability to accommodate a gluten-free consumer. When dining-out trips are planned, the remaining meals can be planned without packing too much food.

Large suitcases with firm shells are best equipped for carrying gluten-free bread products, such as sandwich bread, doughnuts, brownies, or other items that could become compressed. Gluten-free pretzels, crackers, cookies, trail mix, mini peanut butter containers, and snack bars can usually fit in smaller bags, such as small suitcases for carry-on only, or back packs. Snacks can also be transferred into smaller baggies for travel.

Most major airlines are offering peanuts in flight, along with beverages. Some are also offering meat and cheese trays or salads, but these meals usually contain crackers or breadsticks. The safest snack on a flight is something packed in advance.

Airport dining can be tricky, especially when familiar restaurants appear to offer safe choices. Remember that airport restaurants have very small kitchens, and will usually share surfaces, equipment, fryers, and ingredients. Some newsstands or snack shops carry fruit, bagged nuts or chips, yogurt, candy bars, or other possible snack options. Always read the labels and look for foods that are naturally gluten-free, such as fruit. If dining in an airport restaurant, look for foods that hold the least possible chance of cross contamination or accidental gluten. A steak without seasoning, baked potato, and salad may be a safe choice at many restaurants. Don’t forget to consider seasonings, sauces, and salad dressings when dining at a restaurant for the first time, or an airport restaurant which may use different ingredients than the regular chain.

Traveling by car can take longer than flying, but it can also offer better control over gluten-free food options. Gluten-free bread is less likely to be damaged in the car, as is fruit, chips, crackers, pretzels, and other breakable snacks. It also easier to pack a cooler with cold snacks, like meat or cheese. Some gas stations sell fruit, and most have chips, nuts, and candy bars that are gluten-free. Gas stations with larger food selections usually sell popcorn by the bag and have a microwave available for customer use.

Fast food restaurants are a tempting option on the road, but remember that cross contamination and hidden gluten can be a problem. Look for salads, which many restaurants offer with croutons in a separate bag. Some chains have baked potatoes, chili, ice cream, and other items that are gluten-free. Packing gluten-free hamburger buns can make stops at fast food restaurants a little more tolerable, but be careful to not assume that meats are safe just because there is no bun or breading. The McDonald’s Angus patty contains wheat (via soy sauce), as does their grilled chicken breast. Researching popular fast food restaurants in advance is the best way to know what is safe to order while traveling. Visit the restaurant website for allergen and ingredient information. When ordering at the location, be sure to specify the need for gluten-free food, and care in preparing food without cross contamination.

Quick Guide:

Snacks to pack: Gluten-free pretzels, chips, crackers, cookies, trail mix, energy or snack bars, fruit, and nuts.

Gas Station Options: Fruit, nuts, chips (Funyuns, Fritos, Lay’s Stax), candy bars (Snickers, Butterfinger, Hershey’s).

Restaurants: P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Outback Steakhouse, Chili’s, Bonefish Grill, and Carrabba’s are all national chains with gluten-free menus.

Fast Food: Possible options include

Wendy’s- chili, baked potato, grilled chicken, salad, and bunless burgers

McDonalds- side and Cesar salad (no chicken), some bunless burgers (NOT Angus patty), hot fudge sundae

Taco Bell- tostada, pintos and cheese, Mexican rice (per Taco Bell website)

Arby’s- chopped Italian salad, chopped turkey club salad, (the grilled chicken on the farmhouse salad is NOT gluten-free), roast beef meat, milk shakes

This list is not all inclusive, and ingredients can change or vary by location. Check the restaurant websites for up-to-date information or ask for ingredient information at the restaurant location.

• Wendy’s
• Arby’s
• Good Times
• Taco Bell
• Dairy Queen
• Cold Stone Creamery
• Steak N Shake
• Burger King
• McDonalds
• Carl’s Jr
• KFC
• Jack in the Box

You are reading Gluten-Free Travel: By Road or By Air. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.

Mrs. Leeper’s

The Creamy Tuna dinner is a pretty good tasting dish and since you don’t have to pre-cook the tuna, it’s also the easiest and quickest dinner to make. The creamy sauce is fairly light, yet quite flavorful at the same time. Mrs. Leeper’s corn pasta tastes a little too much like corn for my liking. Since tuna has a pretty strong flavor itself, the flavor of the pasta in the meal is somewhat overshadowed by the tuna and the tasty sauce.

The Cheeseburger Mac meal from Mrs. Leeper’s can be made with ground beef, tofu or turkey. We usually use the latter in order to reduce the fat content (compared to beef) of the dinner. Though the box states the meal takes fifteen minutes to prepare, it actually takes that long after the meat has been browned. If you use tofu, you can probably make the dinner in fifteen minutes. Overall, the meal has great flavor, the pasta is decent and eating it might take people of a certain age back to the 1970’s, when the Hamburger Helper version of this dinner was introduced.

We much prefer the pasta in the rice pasta in the Cheeseburger Mac pasta to the corn pasta in the Creamy Tuna meal. Though not our favorite type of pasta, we usually prefer most rice pastas to corn pastas. The exceptions are some of the finer corn pastas from Italy. Those products taste nothing at all like the corn pastas made with American grown corn. The difference between them is night and day, in fact.

Mrs. Leeper’s also offers several other gluten-free meals that call for a protein to be added, but vegetables could be used instead. The Beef Stroganoff was a little too salty for our tastes. The Beef Lasagna is pretty good and I’ve not seen the Chicken Alfredo in our area yet. If I find it I would use the Purdue cooked chicken (labeled gluten-free) in it, so it would actually only 15 minutes to make.

Check out this easy looking recipe on the Mrs. Leeper’s site – Gluten-free Mediterranean Baked Pasta. This dish looks particularly tasty in this dreary, cold we’re having GA these days and any gluten-free pasta could be used to make it! Mrs. Leeper’s now apparently makes a gluten-free Mac-N-Cheese (rice pasta) dinner. Amazon.com is letting customers sign up to find out when it’s available. Now that - I simply must try!

UPDATE: The new Mac-N-Cheese from Mrs. Leepers should be available on Dec. 19th at Return to Eden in Atlanta. 

You are reading Mrs. Leepers Offers Timesaving Gluten-free Meals. This post is the property of Celiac-Disease.com © 2009.