Udi’s Gluten Free Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies

                I experienced Udi’s Gluten Free Soft & Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies in a gluten free lunch.  They were delicious.  You wouldn’t know they were gluten free.  These cookies can be found at Whole Foods in the refrigerated section.

Snyder’s of Hanover Pretzels

           One of my favorite things to make is Pretzel Bark.  Made up of pretzels, caramel, chocolate, and nuts, the bark always seems to be a hit no matter where it goes.  My pretzel of choice is Snyder’s of Hanover.  When I saw Snyder’s was making a gluten free pretzel, I was very happy because I could still use my favorite pretzel while making a treat everyone in my family could enjoy.         

                Usually we purchase the gluten free pretzels at either Outpost Natural Foods or Whole Foods.  Recently I was at Woodman’s and found them there as well. Not only did I find the two different shapes, pretzel and sticks, at Woodman’s, but I also discovered flavors. Snyder’s has now released two flavors of gluten free pretzel sticks: Hot Buffalo Wing and Honey Mustard & Onion. The way I see it is the regular pretzels can be used as part of a sweet treat and the flavors can be for the savory side of life. This is great for the upcoming holiday season or any time of year.

Beanitos: The Original Bean Chip

              While I was shopping in my local grocery store I saw a new brand of tortilla chips. I’m always looking for new tastes of my favorite foods. I found Beanitos, a tortilla chip made of beans which made them gluten free. They have six kinds: Chipotle BBQ, Nacho Cheese, Restaurant Style, Simply Pinto Bean, Better Cheddar, and Original Black Bean. I have found these chips at Sendik’s Food Market, Whole Foods, and Woodman’s.

Let’s Eat Out with Celiac/Coeliac & Food Allergies!: A Timeless Reference for Special Diets by Kim Koeller & Robert La France

               As someone with a food allergy, I understand how hard it is to go out and eat.  With so many things to consider, what is supposed to be an enjoyable time can become very stressful.  Traveling can be even more difficult.  At home I have learned which places to trust.  Out on the road everything becomes suspicious as the ingredients and preparations are all different.

                A couple weeks ago I was reading the travel section from the Chicago Tribune and I saw a book I knew I had to get.  Let’s Eat Out with Celiac/Coeliac & Food Allergies! sounded like just the thing so many people need in their lives.  I checked my library system and found out my local library did have a copy.  Not many days later I picked it up and began to look through.             

                The book is broken down into sections with the first few about personal stories and general information.  This is followed by sections concentrating on different types of restaurants.  These were the sections I found most interesting.  Each type of cuisine uses its own ingredients and preparations.  All create concern for someone who is gluten free or has a food allergy.  The book informs the reader as to what to look out for and which questions to ask.  Reading through everything I was surprised at how many things I would have never thought to ask about.

                After the cuisines there are a few more sections which concentrate on snacks, travel advice, and additional resources. There is so much information that it would take a long time to read it all. But I feel the time would be worth it. This book will really help those who are gluten free or have a food allergy not only in their travel but in their everyday life as well.

Schar Baguette

               The baguette.  It’s the infamous symbol of French bread.  Recently I found Schar’s baguette at Outpost Natural Foods.  For more places for Schar products look at www.schar.com.

                Now you can have garlic bread with your Italian food.

Pizza at Transfer Pizzeria-Cafe

                If I could not eat pizza, I do not know what I would do.  While because of my own food allergy I cannot eat all pizza, I am grateful that there are many restaurants where I can eat it.  To find a restaurant where I can eat the pizza and they have gluten free offerings is a really good thing.  Transfer Pizzeria-Café on Mitchell Street in Milwaukee is one of those places.                 
                For a little bit extra in cost, Transfer’s pizza can be put on a gluten free crust. This is great because Transfer has so many really good types of pizza. The menu is pretty extensive with all different kinds of possibilities. I have not had them all, but the ones I have eaten have been very tasty. The two I have eaten the most are the Da Vinci and the Tutti Vegetariani. If there was not so many to try, I would probably get these two all the time. To see what you may like, check out the menu on Transfer’s website transfermke.com.

Gluten Free Registry

            While I was shopping at Outpost Natural Foods the other day I noticed a man looking at gluten free baked goods.  I asked him if he was gluten free and he said yes.  While we were talking he told me about the Gluten Free Registry as a good way to decide where to go out to eat.  This is why I tribute this post to him.

The web address is www.glutenfreeregistry.com.  Once on the site, you simply pick a state and a city.  This will give you a list of gluten free possibilities for places such as restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores.  There is also an app whose search can be used by entering a zip code.  The list given can be used as a starting point as we realized during our own search that not all the gluten free restaurants in our city have been listed.  I hope more will be added as time goes on. 

             Good hunting.