Last Thursday evening (a beautiful and warm non-Seattle like evening, I might add) I had the pleasure of speaking to a standing room only crowd at Marlene's Market. Marlene's Market and Deli is located in south Seattle in Federal Way, and she also has a location in Tacoma. It is the premier location in that part of town for finding gluten free, dairy free, etc. free foods, and I always recommend it to all of my patients living near there.
It was an enthusiastic and inquisitive crowd, and I'd like to thank everyone who came for spending a nice evening indoors. I'd also like to thank Sue Munro, and of course Marlene, for their hospitality. I look forward to talking there again in the future.
For information about Marlene's locations, classes, events, deli, and more, visit www.MarlenesMarket-Deli.com. By the way, I had an excellent salad from their salad bar. And a really tasty lentil patty, and I'm not even vegetarian.
Bake Deliciously! Gluten and Dairy Free Cooking
This is a new cookbook from Jean Duane, the Alternative Cook, LLC titled Bake Deliciously! Gluten & Dairy Free Cookbook.
I've known Jean for at least a couple of years now. I first knew her as the producer of gluten free cooking DVDs. To my knowledge she is the only person producing Gluten and Dairy free cooking DVDs, which can be a very practical way to learn to cook, even if you've never cooked before.
Jean has four DVDs available. They are titled Kids' Meals, Mexican, Italian, and Chocolate. That is just about something for everyone. I really do encourage you to explore these options, especially if you're someone who isn't used to baking or cooking.
You don't have to have a DVD player in the kitchen. Each comes with a recipe booklet, and you can watch the DVD first if you like. Get a closer look at the DVDs by visiting www.alternativecook.com.
But lest I forget, what brought this all up again was her attractive new cookbook, Bake Deliciously!: Gluten & Dairy Free Cookbook. Bake Deliciously is a beautiful and large book with lots recipes and loads of practical information about cooking gf and avoiding gluten. She has over 150 triple-tested recipes for breads, muffins, pizza, focaccia, pies, cakes, cookies, custards, crackers, souffles, chocolate, and much more.
I think that you'll enjoy this book both inside and out. And Jean really means it when she says "Bake Deliciously." It makes me hungry just looking at it! You can find out more about it at www.alternativecook.com.
I've known Jean for at least a couple of years now. I first knew her as the producer of gluten free cooking DVDs. To my knowledge she is the only person producing Gluten and Dairy free cooking DVDs, which can be a very practical way to learn to cook, even if you've never cooked before.
Jean has four DVDs available. They are titled Kids' Meals, Mexican, Italian, and Chocolate. That is just about something for everyone. I really do encourage you to explore these options, especially if you're someone who isn't used to baking or cooking.
You don't have to have a DVD player in the kitchen. Each comes with a recipe booklet, and you can watch the DVD first if you like. Get a closer look at the DVDs by visiting www.alternativecook.com.
But lest I forget, what brought this all up again was her attractive new cookbook, Bake Deliciously!: Gluten & Dairy Free Cookbook. Bake Deliciously is a beautiful and large book with lots recipes and loads of practical information about cooking gf and avoiding gluten. She has over 150 triple-tested recipes for breads, muffins, pizza, focaccia, pies, cakes, cookies, custards, crackers, souffles, chocolate, and much more.
I think that you'll enjoy this book both inside and out. And Jean really means it when she says "Bake Deliciously." It makes me hungry just looking at it! You can find out more about it at www.alternativecook.com.
See Me on Q13 Fox TV Wednesday Morning
Warning! I'll be interviewed on Seattle TV tomorrow morning at 8:45 am on Q13. We'll be talking about my new book (cross your fingers, you never really know what they'll talk about), Healthier Without Wheat.
This will be only my third TV interview, and my first in Seattle, so tune in and see how I do. I've been warned that they want to couch this as a back to school thing. That should be interesting, since we have only 4 minutes and you'd assume that we need to introduce the concept of gluten and reactions to gluten, I doubt that we'll have much time to address the back to school angle, but I'm sure they'll force it in.
When I do these interviews I naively assume that the main issue is helping people to understand that there might be a solution to their health problem, and that it might be caused by a gluten intolerance. But that's not exactly how these interviews always go. My WGN interview in Chicago completely skipped any definition of gluten and went right into fanning the flames about how there was nothing left to eat. Educating the audience was definitely a secondary issue. But I think we managed to get the message across. Unfortunately, listeners with no understanding of gluten might have come away thinking it was a toxic additive or something.
Please wish me luck. I encourage you to call up the station when I'm on and tell them how interested you are in the subject. Ask them to invite me back for a more detailed interview where we can really get into the interesting parts of all this. Together we can help a lot of people to feel better!
This will be only my third TV interview, and my first in Seattle, so tune in and see how I do. I've been warned that they want to couch this as a back to school thing. That should be interesting, since we have only 4 minutes and you'd assume that we need to introduce the concept of gluten and reactions to gluten, I doubt that we'll have much time to address the back to school angle, but I'm sure they'll force it in.
When I do these interviews I naively assume that the main issue is helping people to understand that there might be a solution to their health problem, and that it might be caused by a gluten intolerance. But that's not exactly how these interviews always go. My WGN interview in Chicago completely skipped any definition of gluten and went right into fanning the flames about how there was nothing left to eat. Educating the audience was definitely a secondary issue. But I think we managed to get the message across. Unfortunately, listeners with no understanding of gluten might have come away thinking it was a toxic additive or something.
Please wish me luck. I encourage you to call up the station when I'm on and tell them how interested you are in the subject. Ask them to invite me back for a more detailed interview where we can really get into the interesting parts of all this. Together we can help a lot of people to feel better!
Zing Bars, Check them out.
There is a new bar in town, and it's called Zing. Zing bars are different than any other bar I've had. They have several flavors, two of which are Gluten, Dairy, Soy and Egg free. These are the Cranberry Orange and the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip.
Unlike many other bars on the market, they aren't just a bunch of fruit pressed together with a nut thrown in for good measure. Zing bars are designed by nutritionists who know about food allergies and intolerance and like things to taste good, not by some big company looking to make a buck. They have a heartier nutritious taste to them, and a bit of zing!
They test their bars to make sure that they are gluten free, and they post a lot of information on their website about the manufacturing practices that go into making their bars.
These bars do not contain almonds! This is a major benefit for those who can't eat almonds. But they are not for those with peanut allergies, which I find a nice change of pace. Most people who have reactions to gluten, dairy, egg and soy do not have any problems with peanuts. Zing took advantage of this fact to the benefit of millions of people. They don't contain cane sugar either, opting to agave syrup instead.
These bars are available in many stores in the west as well as online at www.zingbars.com. Visit their website at your own risk. You may find a new favorite bar. Mine is the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and I'm not especially a chocolate lover. I'm taking them with me on my backpacking trip this weekend in the north cascades Glacier Peak Wilderness Area. I'll write again on the flip side.
p.s. Zing will give you a $5 discount when you order an entire box of bars online on their website if you use the code "IHFWiki."
Unlike many other bars on the market, they aren't just a bunch of fruit pressed together with a nut thrown in for good measure. Zing bars are designed by nutritionists who know about food allergies and intolerance and like things to taste good, not by some big company looking to make a buck. They have a heartier nutritious taste to them, and a bit of zing!
They test their bars to make sure that they are gluten free, and they post a lot of information on their website about the manufacturing practices that go into making their bars.
These bars do not contain almonds! This is a major benefit for those who can't eat almonds. But they are not for those with peanut allergies, which I find a nice change of pace. Most people who have reactions to gluten, dairy, egg and soy do not have any problems with peanuts. Zing took advantage of this fact to the benefit of millions of people. They don't contain cane sugar either, opting to agave syrup instead.
These bars are available in many stores in the west as well as online at www.zingbars.com. Visit their website at your own risk. You may find a new favorite bar. Mine is the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip, and I'm not especially a chocolate lover. I'm taking them with me on my backpacking trip this weekend in the north cascades Glacier Peak Wilderness Area. I'll write again on the flip side.
p.s. Zing will give you a $5 discount when you order an entire box of bars online on their website if you use the code "IHFWiki."
Food Allergies, COPD, and Respiratory Problems
While in Chicago at the Gluten Free Expo I met 2 people who told me stories about the connection between their gluten intolerance and a condition called COPD. COPD stands for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. This basically means that you can't breath very well.
A wonderful Chicago area lady told me about how she had been suffering from this condition for many years. She already knew that she was celiac, but she continued to work as a baker. She suffered from COPD and also developed many respiratory infections.
An intelligent doctor told her that it wasn't a good idea to work as a baker if she was gluten intolerant, and that this was likely the cause of her respiratory problems. She finally gave up the baking, and wouldn't you know it, the respiratory problems resolved. No more COPD.
This seemed to be a theme that day, so I thought I would share it with you. Interestingly, I often hear patients describe that they are having trouble getting a full or a deep breath. In fact, I remember having exactly that same experience. And this usually seems to resolve once they figure out their food allergies get those foods out of their diet.
Hopefully someone will run across this and discover that they may be needlessly suffering from a respiratory problem that is being triggered by a reaction to a food.
A wonderful Chicago area lady told me about how she had been suffering from this condition for many years. She already knew that she was celiac, but she continued to work as a baker. She suffered from COPD and also developed many respiratory infections.
An intelligent doctor told her that it wasn't a good idea to work as a baker if she was gluten intolerant, and that this was likely the cause of her respiratory problems. She finally gave up the baking, and wouldn't you know it, the respiratory problems resolved. No more COPD.
This seemed to be a theme that day, so I thought I would share it with you. Interestingly, I often hear patients describe that they are having trouble getting a full or a deep breath. In fact, I remember having exactly that same experience. And this usually seems to resolve once they figure out their food allergies get those foods out of their diet.
Hopefully someone will run across this and discover that they may be needlessly suffering from a respiratory problem that is being triggered by a reaction to a food.
Thanks to the Gluten Free Expo
I would like to thank Jen and Tom Cafferty and everyone I met at the Gluten and Dairy Free Cooking Expo in Lisle, Illinois this past weekend. I had a fabulous time and really enjoyed meeting you all and spending time in Chicagoland.
I was overwhelmed by your support for my new book, "Healthier Without Wheat." Many of you stopped by my table and shared your stories with me. I wish that I could capture all of the amazing information in those stories about how avoiding gluten, dairy, and/or other foods has made such a dramatic improvement in your health and in your life.
I look forward to seeing you again in the future. Until then you are welcome to make comments on my blog or to send me an email at info@ibstreatmentcenter.com. If you have an idea about when or where you think that I should speak in the future, please let me know!
I was overwhelmed by your support for my new book, "Healthier Without Wheat." Many of you stopped by my table and shared your stories with me. I wish that I could capture all of the amazing information in those stories about how avoiding gluten, dairy, and/or other foods has made such a dramatic improvement in your health and in your life.
I look forward to seeing you again in the future. Until then you are welcome to make comments on my blog or to send me an email at info@ibstreatmentcenter.com. If you have an idea about when or where you think that I should speak in the future, please let me know!
Chicago TV Interviews this weekend
Yesterday I had the honor of being on WGN TV here in Chicago. WGN is a national cable network and I was on the mid-day news program talking about my new book. If you didn't know about it, I apologize. I realize that it doesn't help much to tell you about it after the fact.
With that in mind, you should know that tomorrow (Sunday) I'll be on the local Chicago ABC affiliate, WLS channel 7. The interview will be on the morning news at 10 minutes before 7 am. They are short little briefs on gluten intolerance, so you're not going to learn a lot of new information, but you may find them interesting. If you didn't see me on WGN, don't worry. You didn't miss much, but it was fun to do.
I'm in Chicago speaking the at the Gluten (and Dairy) free Expo run by Jennifer Cafferty. It's been a great opportunity to meet many enthusiastic gluten free proponents, make new friends, and see old friends. Needless to say, I'm having a great time here in Chicago, which is a fascinating city.
I've also learned about several new gluten and dairy free product companies which I'll be blogging about in the upcoming week or two. Keep an eye out for those.
With that in mind, you should know that tomorrow (Sunday) I'll be on the local Chicago ABC affiliate, WLS channel 7. The interview will be on the morning news at 10 minutes before 7 am. They are short little briefs on gluten intolerance, so you're not going to learn a lot of new information, but you may find them interesting. If you didn't see me on WGN, don't worry. You didn't miss much, but it was fun to do.
I'm in Chicago speaking the at the Gluten (and Dairy) free Expo run by Jennifer Cafferty. It's been a great opportunity to meet many enthusiastic gluten free proponents, make new friends, and see old friends. Needless to say, I'm having a great time here in Chicago, which is a fascinating city.
I've also learned about several new gluten and dairy free product companies which I'll be blogging about in the upcoming week or two. Keep an eye out for those.
GF Instant Oatmeal
Finally, someone is providing us with gluten free instant oatmeal. The good folks at Glutenfreeda have recently come out with three different flavors of instant oatmeal:
Apple Cinnamon with Flax
Maple Raisin with Flax
Banana Maple with Raisin
I've been waiting for this for some time as I've been waiting for any gluten free oatmeal products at all. Now we've got some cookies, some bars, and now a quickie oatmeal mix. This will be handy for traveling, camping and backpacking.
I haven't tried any of these yet so I can't say much more than I have. If you've had it, please let me know what you thought.
You can learn more about GF instant oatmeal and order it at glutenfree.com.
Apple Cinnamon with Flax
Maple Raisin with Flax
Banana Maple with Raisin
I've been waiting for this for some time as I've been waiting for any gluten free oatmeal products at all. Now we've got some cookies, some bars, and now a quickie oatmeal mix. This will be handy for traveling, camping and backpacking.
I haven't tried any of these yet so I can't say much more than I have. If you've had it, please let me know what you thought.
You can learn more about GF instant oatmeal and order it at glutenfree.com.
Boston's and Carrabo's Restaurants
While in Texas I was treated to gluten free and dairy free meals at two restaurant chains not found in the Pacific Northwest.
On Saturday afternoon I joined the Fort Worth GIG group for pizza at Boston's The Gourmet Pizza. (I just checked and they actually do exist in the Northwest! Just not very near me.) Boston's offers a gluten free pizza crust and gladly made my pizza dairy free as well. I had a very nice Sicilian pizza.
I recommend that you investigate Boston's if they are near you. Boston's full menu and all of their locations can be discovered at www.BostonsGourmet.com. Their main menu includes their gluten free options.
On Sunday I enjoyed lunch with the Dallas GIG group at Carraba's Italian Grill. I also spoke to the group at Carraba's. I enjoyed the Insalata Johnny Rocco. Carraba's has a separate gluten free menu which you'll want to request. They were happy to make the salad for me without cheese, and it was still very tasty.
Carraba's is not on the west coast or north central part of the U.S, but is just about everywhere else. I especially like that they opened the door for me every time I came and went, which was several times. It's a nice touch.
They didn't have any gluten free carbs in-house, but they were happy to prepare the rice spaghetti noodles that one of the members had brought along. And I must say, they received a very hearty meatball and tomato sauce spaghetti dish. No complaints there.
For Carraba's locations and to see their gluten free menu visit www.carrabas.com.
In case you hadn't noticed, I ate a lot of food while I was in Texas. Someone was always feeding me, and I had all kinds of nice dishes. Many of them were brought to the potlucks during or before my talks. I never went hungry, and I enjoyed every bite of every dish or bread product. Thank you for keeping me fed! My wife and I both greatly appreciate it.
On Saturday afternoon I joined the Fort Worth GIG group for pizza at Boston's The Gourmet Pizza. (I just checked and they actually do exist in the Northwest! Just not very near me.) Boston's offers a gluten free pizza crust and gladly made my pizza dairy free as well. I had a very nice Sicilian pizza.
I recommend that you investigate Boston's if they are near you. Boston's full menu and all of their locations can be discovered at www.BostonsGourmet.com. Their main menu includes their gluten free options.
On Sunday I enjoyed lunch with the Dallas GIG group at Carraba's Italian Grill. I also spoke to the group at Carraba's. I enjoyed the Insalata Johnny Rocco. Carraba's has a separate gluten free menu which you'll want to request. They were happy to make the salad for me without cheese, and it was still very tasty.
Carraba's is not on the west coast or north central part of the U.S, but is just about everywhere else. I especially like that they opened the door for me every time I came and went, which was several times. It's a nice touch.
They didn't have any gluten free carbs in-house, but they were happy to prepare the rice spaghetti noodles that one of the members had brought along. And I must say, they received a very hearty meatball and tomato sauce spaghetti dish. No complaints there.
For Carraba's locations and to see their gluten free menu visit www.carrabas.com.
In case you hadn't noticed, I ate a lot of food while I was in Texas. Someone was always feeding me, and I had all kinds of nice dishes. Many of them were brought to the potlucks during or before my talks. I never went hungry, and I enjoyed every bite of every dish or bread product. Thank you for keeping me fed! My wife and I both greatly appreciate it.
Thank You Texas!
Words cannot express how much I enjoyed my time in Texas. The people were extremely friendly and hospitable, and I had a wonderful time speaking to and with the good folks in Texas.
There are many passionate and healthy gluten free Texans who get together on a regular basis to learn and share in their gluten freedom. I had the good fortune of speaking to a few hundred of them, and I'm sure that there are many more.
Thanks to everyone I met in Texas for your kindness and generosity. I look forward to seeing you again in the future.
If you live in Texas and are looking for a gluten free group to join, please visit www.gluten.net for one near you.
There are many passionate and healthy gluten free Texans who get together on a regular basis to learn and share in their gluten freedom. I had the good fortune of speaking to a few hundred of them, and I'm sure that there are many more.
Thanks to everyone I met in Texas for your kindness and generosity. I look forward to seeing you again in the future.
If you live in Texas and are looking for a gluten free group to join, please visit www.gluten.net for one near you.
The Little Aussie Bakery and Cafe
Before leaving San Antonio I was told that I had to visit the Little Aussie Bakery and Cafe, a favorite local gluten free stop. I managed to find my way there and and I was not disappointed.
Rita, the Aussie founder and baker, surprisingly recognized me right away even though we had never met before. She quickly sat me down with a few slices of her famous bread, and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
It is without a doubt some of the finest bread that I've ever had. During our conversation I came to realize that she not only has a true passion for preparing gluten free baked goods, but a deep understanding of the food science behind milling and using grains for baking. That may be what sets her products apart from many others.
I also had an outstanding pizza from The Little Aussie Bakery, and it was even dairy free!
If you are ever in San Antonio then you should stop in and visit The Little Aussie Bakery. But even if you can't get there, give some serious consideration to having her ship you some of her products so that you can try them for yourself. You can learn more about The Little Aussie Bakery and all of your options by visiting www.thelittleaussiebakery.com.
Rita, the Aussie founder and baker, surprisingly recognized me right away even though we had never met before. She quickly sat me down with a few slices of her famous bread, and I definitely wasn't disappointed.
It is without a doubt some of the finest bread that I've ever had. During our conversation I came to realize that she not only has a true passion for preparing gluten free baked goods, but a deep understanding of the food science behind milling and using grains for baking. That may be what sets her products apart from many others.
I also had an outstanding pizza from The Little Aussie Bakery, and it was even dairy free!
If you are ever in San Antonio then you should stop in and visit The Little Aussie Bakery. But even if you can't get there, give some serious consideration to having her ship you some of her products so that you can try them for yourself. You can learn more about The Little Aussie Bakery and all of your options by visiting www.thelittleaussiebakery.com.
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