Gluten Free Chapel Hill

Gluten Free Festival

2012-01-18T21:28:00.000-05:00

Zach just sent me a link to the Chapel Hill Whole Foods calendar. There is going to be a gluten free festival on Monday, February 20 from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm. Best of all, it's free!

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/chapelhill/store-calendar/

Kelley G Cupcakes

2012-01-13T18:58:00.001-05:00

I was wondering if there were any bakeries that offered gluten free cupcakes in the area, so I decided to do a little bit of research. You can imagine how excited I was when I came across Kelley G Cupcakes in Carrboro! You can download the Fall menu here and the Summer menu here. Flavors include orange creamsicle, peanut butter, and chocolate mint to name a few.

I followed up with an e-mail to get some more information. Kelley just did gluten free chai latte and lemon sensation cupcakes for a baby shower! She says that most flavors can be adapted to be gluten free. Custom orders are also available. Kelley G Cupcakes' main goal is to be able to provide cupcakes that everyone will be able to eat without singling out the gluten free or dairy intolerant person. She also does a lot of vegan baking.

Orders are best placed through e-mail at kellygcupcakes@gmail.com. Delivery within Carrboro and Chapel Hill is free.

If you've ever tried a cupcake from Kelley, please let me know! Or, if you contact her and have any info you'd like to share!

iglooyogurt

2011-11-06T20:50:00.001-05:00

I recently read about iglooyogurt in the Southern Neighbour newspaper that comes in the mail. The article says that iglooyogurt has nonfat, low fat, peanut free, gluten free, and kosher options! I decided to check out the website and write an e-mail for additional information.

Here is the e-mail I received:

Dear Lauren,

Thank you for your interest in Igloo Organic Frozen Yogurt!Our certified organic yogurt is gluten free, peanut free, hormone free, preservative free and also includes additional goodies like Omega 3s and Fiber. Those flavors include Original Tart, Vanilla Tart, Mango, Pomegranate, Chocolate Raspberry and Strawberry. We usually rotate our fruit flavors, currently we have Mango, Original Tart and Vanilla Tart.We appreciate your questions!

Kindest Regards,
Igloo Yogurt Frozen Yogurt

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In addition, according to the website, there are tons of toppings to choose from, including Reese's cups, m&ms, blackberries, and strawberries to name a few!I didn't ask for a list of gluten free toppings, so please ask if you have any questions, or do your own research on the candy.

iglooyogurt is located at:
50221 Governors Drive
Chapel Hill, NC 27517

919-929-4922

Fall hours of operation:Monday- Sunday 12pm-9pm
(hours change seasonally)

Gluten Free Tour @ Whole Foods

2011-09-08T21:43:00.001-04:00

Tuesday, September 27th

Gluten Free Tour 4:30-5:30 FREE!

If you are new to a Gluten-Free diet, or are just looking for new ideas, come meet as we'll show you all the options we have available to you! Our expert Gluten-Free baker, Lee Tobin, will be on hand to answer your questions and guide you through all the terms and products. The tour is free but space is limited, so call Customer Service (919-245-0065) to register today!

Starbucks Gluten Free?

2011-09-07T15:15:00.003-04:00

I called Starbucks today to ask if the new Pumpkin Spice Latte was gluten free. I was told that Starbucks can't guarantee if ANY of their drinks are gluten free due to possible cross-contamination. I know this wasn't always the case! I believe everything used to be gluten free except for the vanilla latte and java chip, but don't quote me on this!

I said that I understood the possiblity of cross-contamination (as always), and asked if any of the drinks actually contained gluten as an ingredient. They were unable to confirm either way.

I love Starbucks and have never had a problem. I even drank the Java Chip Frappunccino once (when I didn't know better) and was ok. What are your experiences with Starbucks?

Gluten Free Festival at Whole Foods

2011-06-16T15:36:00.001-04:00

Thursday, June 23rd
Gluten Free Festival 2:00-6:00
Free!

Whether you're new to a Gluten Free diet or have been eating G-F for years, you'll want to come to our Gluten Free Festival. Visit the store and sample a variety of delicious Gluten Free foods! We'll have vendor representatives, and experts on-hand to guide you through the vast array of choices available to you.

http://wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/chapelhill/store-calendar#45157

Red Bowl Asian Bistro is Now Open!

2011-06-11T16:20:00.003-04:00

On my way to the post office this afternoon, I saw a sign on Hwy 15-501 that said Red Bowl is now open! You can find it at 201 South Estes Drive in University Mall. I know that Red Bowl has a gluten free menu at its other locations, but I've never been.

The gluten free menu for the Chapel Hil location is now on the website. At the bottom of the menu, it says that a # denotes a gluten free item. There aren't too many options, but I can't wait to try the Moo Goo Gai Pan or Shrimp and Lobster Sauce.

Take out is an option, and there is also free Wi-Fi.

Make sure to print off this coupon!

Brixx Gluten Free Pizza

2011-06-10T21:18:00.007-04:00

Today, I was opening the Money Mailer that sometimes dusts my mailbox. For those unfamillar, Money Mailer is an envelope of coupons, usually for dining. As I was going through the coupons today, I found one for Brixx in Meadowmont Village. You can view and print out the coupon here.

The coupon says that a gluten free pizza crust is available, so I went on the website to confirm, and for $2 extra you can request the special crust. I know nothing more than that, but it's worth checking out! If you try it first, let me know.

Also, if you're interested in Money Mailer. Carmine's and Evos had coupons today as well. They have gluten free options and you can search this blog for past reviews on both of those.

Print off the coupons at MoneyMailer.com after you enter your zip code.

Gluten Free Philosophy Products

2011-03-23T19:22:00.004-04:00

I found another company with beauty products that has a gluten free list - Philosophy! I know Sephora and Ulta, both at Southpoint, carry Philosophy. I got the Creme Brulee shower gel for Christmas and wasn't sure if it was gluten free. I'm happy to say it is, and that all 3 in 1 shower gels are! Here's the e-mail response I got on 3/23/2011:

hi lauren,

thank you for contacting philosophy! we appreciate your interest in philosophy products! for your reference i have provided the following list of gluten free products that philosophy carries!

purity made simple
foaming purity made simple
hope in a jar
hope in a jar spf 25
hope in a jar for dry skin
hope in a jar for dry skin spf
hope in a jar oil-free
hope in a jar spf 30 oil-free
when hope is not enough replenishing cream
hope in a tinted moisturizer spf20
the supernatural superbeautiful makeup spf20
supernatural airbrush canvas foundation spf15
concealers
kiss me
lip shines
supernatural lip gloss
microdelivery peel
booster caps
microdelivery face wash
shelter
miracle worker retinoid pads
never let them see you shine
hope in a tube
booster c powder
amazing grace emulsion
3-in-1 shower gels

please contact us at 1.800.568.3151 if you have any additional questions. we are happy to assist you by phone monday-friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m. (mst). thank you for your interest and have a beautiful day!

kind regards,

amanda g.
philosophy: where there is hope miracles can occur

Whole Foods Market Gluten Free Tour - March 23rd

2011-03-21T15:51:00.000-04:00

Wednesday, March 23rd at Whole Foods Market Chapel Hill.

Gluten Free Tour

6:30 p.m. FREE!

Are you or a family member eating the Gluten Free way? Come take a tour with our own master baker, Lee Tobin, to learn tips, techniques, and the health benefits of this diet. Sign up at Customer Service as space is limited!

Carolina Hurricanes: 2010-2011 Gluten Free Update

2010-10-25T21:57:00.000-04:00

I have previously written about Gluten Free options at the RBC Center during Carolina Hurricanes games over the last couple seasons. See below for the 2010-2011 season update.

A few weeks ago, I checked in with the food & beverage department again to gather updates on the GF options available this season. One big complaint I heard often was the people had difficulty finding RedBridge. It appears that they are working on some signage this year which should help folks in that area.

I'm happy to report continued support of Gluten Free options for the upcoming 2010-2011 season which kicks off this Wednesday, October 27th, 2010. The Food & Beverage Department at the RBC Center has done a great job accommodating those on a Gluten Free Diet. I'd like to send a huge thanks to Chris Diamond and all the folks responsible for these GF options.

If you are interested in tickets, check out the following page. Also a reminder that this years NHL All Star Game will be held at the RBC Center the weekend of January 28-30th. Any visitors to the RBC Center that are looking for Gluten Free options should be pretty pleased.

2010-2011 Carolina Hurricanes Gluten Free options @ RBC Center

1) RedBridge beer will be carried at the following locations. It will be carried on all 3 levels of the arena (hopefully signage coming soon).

The bar @ Section 124
Lower Level - Bud Light Deck
Club Level (2nd Deck) - All private Suites, Arena Club Restaurant, Ledge Lounge bar and Champions Club
Upper Deck - Section 312 - Pub 300

2) The following Gluten Free food options are available.

Call in advance (at least 4pm on game days) 919-861-5479 and request a GF meal from Executive Chef Flood. This special menu option includes a plate of grilled chicken, steamed broccoli and carrots and will run in the $15 range. You can coordinate the details on picking up the GF dinner when you call.
Carvery Cart Meat Option with Salad - Sections 104 & 124
Philly Steak Cart, order without bun - Sections 123 & 324
Sausage Stop Cart, order without bun - Sections 105, 120 & 306
Many concession stands throughout the arena serve candy options like Skittles, M&Ms and Snickers as well as popcorn - all Gluten Free.
Soft serve ice cream from the Twisted Waffle Ice Cream Company is Gluten Free, Lactose Free and Cholesterol Free (no cone) - Section 116 & 322
Dippin’ Dots (I checked their Web site and they are gluten free - does not include Birthday Cake, Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or Cookies n Cream) - Sections 105,110,120, 308, 316, 324
Sunset Slush (I checked their Web site and they are gluten free) - Sections 127

In addition to all these awesome options, each concession stand will also have a Food Allergy Ingredient Listing document which details the ingredients of each concession item. If something is in question, please ask the concession worker for this document and you can review all the ingredients yourself to be 100% sure. The listing should include ingredient warnings for the following; wheat & gluten, milk, eggs, soy, fish, shellfish, peanuts and tree nuts as well as MSG. I've shown an example below - the red letters will indicate the allergen.

Butter - Partially hydrogenated soybean oil, salt, soybean lecithin, natural and artificial butter flavor, TBHQ, and Citric acid, vitamin A, and palmitate. Colored with beta cartone. S

Cheddar Cheese - Maltodextrin (corn), whey powder, cheddar cheese, salt, sugar, sodium, phosphate, lactic acid, yellow #5 (E102), citric acid, yellow #6 (E110), partially hydrogentrated soybean oil, silicon dioxide, FD&C Yellow #6 (E110), disodium inosinate, disodium guanylate. M S

The Body Shop Gluten Free List

2010-10-21T19:03:00.003-04:00

In the past, I have asked The Body Shop about gluten free products and I couldn't get an answer. However, they finally have a list! There are hundreds of products to choose from including lotions, makeup, aromatherapy and more!

The list is so long I couldn't put it here, so I uploaded it to my Google Docs account. If you click on the link below, you can view the list and download it.

The Body Shop Gluten Free List

Finally, we have another company to add to the short list of gluten free beauty products and cosmetics! The Body Shop can be found in both Crabtree Valley and Southpoint Malls.

Whole Foods Gluten Free Tour - 10/19/2010

2010-10-07T13:56:00.000-04:00

Check out the Chapel Hill Whole Foods for an upcoming Gluten Free Tour!

Tuesday, October 19th
Gluten Free Tours!

2pm & 6pm FREE

If you suffer from gluten sensitivity or Celiac Disease, or you just want to know about our gluten-free products, then this tour is for you! We will show you where to find our various gluten-free options, as well as direct you to other resources. Along the way we will stop in our different departments to sample some yummy and satisfying gluten-free nibbles. Space is limited so we ask that you pre-register at our customer service desk.

Store Information
81 South Elliot Rd
Chapel Hill, NC 27514 USA
Phone 919.968.1983
Store hours:
7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week. Cafe hours: 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. seven days a week.

Glutino Pretzels

2010-09-18T10:36:00.002-04:00

This week I found Chocolate Covered and Yogurt Covered Glutino Pretzels at Kerr Drug off of Hwy 54. I read a blog that says they were introduced in March, but this is the first time I'd ever seen them. Yummy!

Restaurant Review: Tossed

2010-07-29T17:05:00.003-04:00

Though I live in Chapel Hill, I work in Research Triangle Park. I ran across Tossed today and they have a gluten free menu with a couple of salads.

You can view the menu here:
http://www.tossed.com/wp-content/themes/paperstreet/files/Tossed_Gluten_Free_Menu.pdf

Tossed is located at:

McCrimmon Corners Shopping Center
4117 Davis Drive
Morrisville, NC 27560

I tried the Chopped Greek Salad. Very good! I will defintely be going again.

Woodchuck Cider

2010-06-15T23:17:00.006-04:00

I saw on their website that Woodchuck Cider is gluten free. I wasn't aware of this! There's a gluten free statement on the front page of the website as well as in the FAQ section. Has anyone tried it?

www.woodchuck.com

Snyder's of Hanover Gluten Free Pretzels

2010-06-15T19:31:00.003-04:00

A mainstream company, Snyder's of Hanover, has come out with gluten free pretzels! They are even certified by GIG's Gluten Free Certification Program. Click the link below to get the full story. Right now, the pretzels are only in Atlanta at Whole Foods, but hopefully they will make it up this way soon!

http://www.triumphdining.com/blog/gluten-free/2010/06/snyders-gluten-free-pretzels-make-the-grade/?utm_source=Triumph+Dining+List&utm_campaign=ce01da9665-June_Newsletter_1&utm_medium=email

Boston Market Allergen List

2010-05-24T17:40:00.005-04:00

Here is the most updated gluten free list from Boston Market:

http://www.bostonmarket.com/restaurant?page=allergens

The Boston Market in Chapel Hill is located in the Eastgate Shopping Center off of Franklin St. and 15-501.

Kerr Drug’s Chapel Hill Health Fair - Tuesday

2010-05-10T10:58:00.000-04:00

I was notified of the following event taking place tomorrow at the Kerr Drug in Chapel Hill. There will be someone present to talk about Gluten Free foods offered in the Naturally Kerr section of the store.

Kerr Drug Holds First Community Health Fair in New Chapel Hill Store
Wide range of clinics, screenings being offered highlight advantage of delivering health care at community pharmacy level.

Raleigh. NC- May, 2010- Kerr Drug’s vision of the pharmacy of the future will be on display Tuesday, May 11th when the innovative provider of pharmacy and other health care related services holds its first Health Fair at its new Chapel Hill store. The new store, in the East 54 Plaza, includes a full service pharmacy and complete health care center along with a natural, gluten free and organic food store.

“We designed the Chapel Hill store to provide a broad range of health services because pharmacists are the face and future of neighborhood health care,” says Anthony “Tony” Civello, president and CEO of Kerr Drug. “In addition to dispensing medications, a community pharmacy must deliver services to patients that will provide them with better health outcomes and help them save money.”

Kerr Drug’s Chapel Hill Health Fair
When: Tuesday, May 11 from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Where: Kerr Drug, The New East 54 Plaza
1106 Environ Way, Chapel Hill

Health Fair Schedule Includes:
Acupuncture Consultations 11a-3p
Medical Leg Evaluations 10a-2p
Chiropractic/Posture Evaluations 10-2p
Breast Feeding Information 3p-6p
Bone Density/Osteoporosis Scans 10a-2p
Blood Pressure/Blood Sugar/Cholesterol screenings 10a-6p
Hearing Tests 10a-6p
Natural Foods/Vitamins/Supplements Sampling 11a-3p
Medication Reviews/Vaccines/Medication Disposal Station 10a-6p
Medicare/Medicare Part D/Health Insurance Reform Information 11a-3p

Kerr Drug’s Chapel Hill store and the Health Fair continue the company’s history of innovative health care.

North Carolina Governor Declares May Celiac Disease Awareness Month

2010-04-30T08:10:00.003-04:00

Media Release

North Carolina Governor Declares May Celiac Disease Awareness Month

• Triangle residents can participate in a gluten-free food drive at various locations or make a monetary donation to help stock the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina
• Bella Monica Italian Restaurant is hosting a six-course gluten-free dinner prepared by Vanessa Maltin, food and lifestyle editor for Delight Gluten-free Magazine
• A top food allergens poster is available for restaurants to download to educate their staff about these items, including gluten

Raleigh, N.C., USA, April 30, 2010 – The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog has announced Governor Beverly Perdue has declared May 2010 “Celiac Disease Awareness Month” in North Carolina. The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog and Pat Berger, leader of the North Raleigh Celiac Sprue Association (CSA) Support Group brought the petition to the Governor’s office regarding the awareness month.

Celiac Disease is a genetic autoimmune disease that affects one in 133 people in the United States. It interferes with the absorption of nutrients from food and can cause gastrointestinal and neurological issues, infertility, skin rashes and cancer. The only treatment for Celiac Disease is lifelong, strict adherence to a gluten-free diet.

“The Governor’s proclamation paves the way to further educate the community on Celiac Disease and helps to create a positive impact on the quality of life for people living with this condition,” said Zach Becker, creator of the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog. “It’s my goal to help raise awareness so those living with this disease can safely eat out at restaurants and have easier access to gluten-free food.”

In an effort to educate, raise awareness and give back to the community, there are a number of gluten-free events scheduled during the month of May.

• A gluten-free food drive will be held on Saturday, May 8 to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina. Special discounts at the drop off locations may be available in exchange for your donation. Bins are set up in each of these locations to accept the packaged gluten-free non-perishable food items:
o Rosie’s Plate – N. Person St., Raleigh
o Bella Monica Italian Restaurant – Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh
o ZPizza – Falls of Neuse Rd., Raleigh and Cornerstone Dr., Cary
o Mellow Mushroom – W. Peace St., Raleigh
o Whole Foods Market, Raleigh – Wade Ave., Raleigh
o Earth Fare – Moncreiffe Rd., Raleigh
o Harmony Farms/Café Harmony – Creedmoor Rd., Raleigh

• A virtual food drive will be held all month to benefit the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina with gluten-free food. The link to donate can be located on the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog.

• On Sunday, May 16, beginning at 5 p.m., Bella Monica Italian Restaurant will host a six-course gluten-free dinner prepared by Vanessa Maltin, food and lifestyle editor for Delight Gluten-free Magazine and Corbett Monica, head chef at Bella Monica Italian Restaurant. They will be preparing dishes from Maltin’s gluten-free cookbook entitled The Gloriously Gluten-Free Cookbook: Spicing Up Life with Italian, Asian and Mexican Recipes. Copies of the cookbook will also be included. Tickets are required for this dining event and can be purchased by calling Bella Monica Italian Restaurant at 919-881-9778.

• The Gluten Free Raleigh Blog worked with Sofia Noble of the design firm This Is Beautiful to create a poster featuring all of the top food allergens, including gluten. This poster is now available for download in English and Spanish at the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog. Wake County restaurant owners may use it to educate their staffs about these foods.

“Research indicates there are approximately three million people living with Celiac Disease in the United States and of those, only about 120,000 have been diagnosed,” said Alice Bast, founder and president of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness (NFCA). “It’s great to see North Carolina working to raise awareness about this disease so perhaps others can be accurately diagnosed by their doctors. Zach Becker and the entire North Carolina Celiac Disease community should be commended for their leadership and successful advocacy efforts.”

About Gluten Free Raleigh Blog
Zach Becker was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in May 2008. He founded the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog in August 2008 and has created similar blogs across the state. He has recruited writers for these blogs so gluten-free information in those communities can be shared. The blogs contain restaurant and grocery store reviews, summaries of national news as well as highlight local companies that cater to the gluten-free community. Becker is an advocate for those living with Celiac Disease in the Triangle and donates his time to educate the newly diagnosed, local restaurants and government leaders on this condition.

Stila Cosmetics

2010-01-26T19:20:00.006-05:00

One thing that I never think about containing gluten is makeup. However, recently I've realized I need to check my makeup as carefully as I do my food. I enjoy going to Ulta across from Southpoint Mall and they have almost every brand of makeup you can think of. I e-mailed Stila Cosmetics after liking one of their "lip glazes." It contains flavor, but I didn't know what "flavor" meant. Turns out, we have a lot of choice!

Stila Cosmetics free of wheat, oats, barley, and rye include:

Sheer Color SPF 15
Illuminating Tented Moisturizer
Shimmer Dry Oil
Lip Glazes
Eye Shadows
Plumping Lip Glaze
Convertible Color
Brow Set
Major Major Lash
Brow Polish
Illuminating Concealer
Lip Polish
Lash Visor
Illuminating Finishing Powders
Cheek Color
Illuminating Liquid Foundation
Smudge Pots
Natural Finish Makeup
Cover Up Stick
Baked Eye Shadow Trios
Baked Cheek Color
Multi-Effects Mascara
Liquid Liner
Lip Contour Pencils
Lip Glaze Sticks
Liquid All Over Shimmer
Lip Rouge

I also have a list of cosmetics that are not gluten free, but I couldn't fit them all in one blog post. If you would like that list, please comment and I will e-mail you.

Lucy's Cookies Now at Starbucks

2010-01-16T19:02:00.006-05:00

I went to the Starbucks on Fayetteville Road across the street from Southpoint today. Starbucks is now carrying Lucy's cookies that are free of gluten, milk, eggs, peanuts, and true nuts. They are also kosher and vegan. I bought some of chocolate chip cookies which are three to a pack. Cinnamon thins and sugar cookies were also available. This is a nice addition to Starbucks! I would much rather have one of the cookies than a Kind bar with my coffee! The cashier told me the cookies will be in Starbucks nationwide. Here is an article if you would like to read more of the story.

Burger King Gluten Free List

2010-01-11T21:57:00.006-05:00

While reading news articles on the topic of gluten free, I came across one that says Burger King now has a "BK Positive Steps Gluten Sensitive List." There isn't very much, but at least another fast food restaurant is providing possible choices and recognizing a growing need. The list was effective as of December 2009. As explained in an article I read, the list is another step in fulfilling the company's motto of "Have It Your Way." You can download the PDF here.

The Burger King in Chapel Hill is located at 450 Elliot Road.

Kanki Japanese House of Steaks

2009-12-09T17:41:00.004-05:00

I e-mailed Kanki a couple of weeks ago and got this in response:

Yes, we are able to accommodate guests with gluten intolerance. The chefs can prepare the meal without the use of regular soy. If you bring an unopened bottle of gluten free soy, we will happily cook the meal separately (prepared in the kitchen to avoid cross over); also, if your group fills a table (8 or more) and they do not mind the use of the gluten free soy, we can cook the entire meal at the teppan table.

I will definitely check out Kanki soon. It's always nice to have another restaurant with gluten free options. The Durham location (down 15-501 from Chapel Hill) is: 3504 Mt. Moriah Road.

Other locations include:

Crabtree Valley Mall (Lower Level)
4325 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, NC 27612

North Market Square
4500 Old Wake Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27609

Grocery Store Review: Kerr Drug

2009-11-07T18:02:00.006-05:00

Kerr Drug opened this past week in the new East 54 shopping center. They have half an aisle with gluten/wheat free products. Some of the things I found included:

Green Mountain Gringo Salsa
Bob's Red Mill (xantham gum, rice flour, almond flour, cookie mix, brownie mix, etc.)
Gluten Free Pantry (bread mix, brownie mix, pie crust, pizza mix)
Pamela's cake mixes and frosting
Tinkyada pasta
Pamela's cookies
Envirokids rice bars
Kinnikinnick graham crackers and animal cookies
Majans Bhuja Cracker Mix
Glutino pretzels
Enjoy Life granola
Envirokids Leapin Lemurs and Gorilla Munch cereal
Larabars
And much more!

Go check it out soon! I was very impressed. Naturally Kerr is a new spin on the regular drug store!

Food Allergy Walk This Saturday

2009-11-04T09:19:00.001-05:00

This Saturday, November 7th, 2009, there will be a walk to raise funds and awareness for Food Allergies held in Cary. The walk is sponsored by The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) and NC FACES (North Carolina Food Allergic Children Excelling Safely) support group. This will be an excellent opportunity to shine the spotlight on food allergies and how they affect millions of Americans. If you have not seen my Food Allergen Restaurant Poster Petition, click here.

Walk Details
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2009
Time: Check-in begins at 9:00 a.m.; Walk begins at 10:00 a.m.
Location: Bond Park, 801 High House Road, Cary, NC 27513
Distance: 2 miles
Event Web site (visit this site to create or join a team or give
Email Contact: Christa Davidson
Restrictions: No pets, glass bottles, bikes, roller skates, or skate boards. Baby strollers and wagons are welcomed.
Target Fundraising Goal: $70,000 (currently have raised nearly $14,000)

About FAAN
FAAN is a national network offering support and education for people with food allergies. There is a ton a great information on their Web site. The group was established in 1991. FAAN’s membership now stands at close to 30,000 worldwide and includes families, dietitians, nurses, physicians, school staff, and representatives from government agencies and the food and pharmaceutical industries. FAAN serves as the communication link between the patient and others. FAAN focuses on awareness, education, advocacy, research and many other areas (a lot of the same goals for this blog). FAAN is (and has been conducting Food Allergy Walks all over the US for years now. Click here for the Walk Web site. There was also a race in Charlotte this past September which raised more than $25,000 and had over 300 participants.

About NC FACES
NC FACES was started by local parents in 2003 who had children with food allergies. The group began by getting together for play dates and has now grown to over 200 families. They focus on providing local social and emotional support for food allergic families. The group usually has quarterly meetings and other events like Easter egg hunts, Halloween fun and games at the Durham Bulls. They are also a big reason for the local FAAN Walk. Click here for the groups Web site or click here to email for more information. You can also check out the group on Facebook.

Jules Shepard Gluten Free Thanksgiving Cooking Class @ Earth Fare

2009-10-29T13:39:00.001-04:00

I've written numerous times about Celiac expert and Gluten Free cooking guru Jules Shepard before on Gluten Free Raleigh. Jules currently resides in Baltimore but has North Carolina ties and stops in for a visit every few months. Each time she stops in we are very lucky! I have had the pleasure of organizing 2 previous cooking classes with Jules (February & July) and she stopped by for another one in August. I have great news to report, Jules will again be back in Raleigh, this time for a timely Gluten Free Thanksgiving themed cooking demonstration. Thanksgiving can be like navigating a Gluten minefield, this class will be the perfect way to have a great GF feast.

See below for more information. I encourage you to sign up soon as space is limited and Jules' classes are in very high demand. As always, portion of the proceeds will go toward Celiac Disease research.

GF Thanksgiving With Jules Shepard
Earth Fare Raleigh
Sunday Nov. 15, 2-4:30pm

Jules Shepard returns to Earth Fare Raleigh to get us all ready for a delicious gluten-free Thanksgiving! Come experience firsthand how knowledgeable, entertaining and encouraging North Carolina native and gluten-free cooking expert Jules Shepard can be, at this in-person demonstration with the focus on Thanksgiving! Learn how simple it can be to prepare amazing gluten-free meals everyone in your family will enjoy this holiday season.

Dishes like gluten-free and dairy-free homemade casseroles, pie crusts, pumpkin pie, dinner rolls and stuffing! Sample a wide variety of goodies, ask questions and have Jules sign one of her two books at this limited-space class. Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis.

As a special bonus, registrants in this Thanksgiving class will each get Jules' brand new 34 page Thanksgiving E-book full of recipes and tips for a great holiday (a $12.95 value)! See you there!

Class Fee is $40 (a portion of this registration fee will be donated to the University of Maryland Center for Celiac Research)

To register, visit JulesGlutenFree.com or call (433-1390)/visit Earth Fare.

Update: Custom Choice Cereal

2009-10-18T19:49:00.006-04:00

In June, I wrote about a new company, Custom Choice Cereal, that allows you to create your own gluten free cereal mix. You can view the old post here. Custom Choice Cereal was created by Hajo and Patrick who are two recent graduates of the MBA program at UNC.

Now that the website is up and running I had a chance to create a mix of my own. I decided to order Good Morning Flakes with banana chips, strawberries, and almonds. It is delicious!

You have the option of first picking your base: Cinnamon Granola, Corn Flakes, or Good Morning Flakes. Then, you choose your favorite dried fruits including apples, apricots, banana chips, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, pears, pineapples, raisins, and strawberries. Next, you can add seeds and nuts to your cereal like almonds, coconut, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, and walnuts.

Risk of cross-contamination is nearly zero. Custom Choice Cereal uses ingredients that are naturally gluten free. All mixes are tested for the presence of gluten being less than 20 parts per million. The mixing facility is entirely gluten free.

You can choose to have your cereal shipped to you or you can pick it up from the facility.

I definitely recommend that you support Choice Choice Cereal by giving this local company a try!

Order your mix by going to www.customchoicecereal.com. If you have a Facebook account you can 'become a fan' of Custom Choice Cereal by going to this link. Be sure to share your experiences by commenting on this post.

Whole Foods Gluten Free List

2009-10-05T10:09:00.005-04:00

Whole Foods seems to update their Gluten Free List often. For the latest list (updated 10.2.09) click here. There is also a Gluten Free/Casein list. If you want to see a list for a town other than Chapel Hill go to the Whole Foods website and click "stores" at the top of the page. After you find your store, go to its page and select special diets on the left hand side.

I recently bought some 365 Honey Roasted Cashews. The ingredients look as if they would be gluten free, but the cashews aren't on the list. I'm going to e-mail Whole Foods to check it out. If you have any suggestions or comments for them e-mail special.diets@wholefoods.com.

$5 Off Glutino Products

2009-09-09T10:43:00.005-04:00

I got an e-mail coupon today that offers $5 off Glutino products when you spend at least $25. Go to www.glutenfree.com and enter the code BEFREE at checkout. The offer ends on October 31.

FDA Approves Gluten Free Beer

2009-08-23T00:18:00.002-04:00

Check out this interesting article that talks about the FDA approving gluten free beer.

I was at Carrabba's in Raleigh and one of the servers told me about it. Nice to know that the FDA is taking more steps to monitor products as gluten free.

Bella Monica Pizzas

2009-08-15T19:38:00.005-04:00

I went to Whole Foods today and saw that all varieties of Bella Monica pizza are in stock. I used to pick up a pizza whenever I went to Harmony Farms in Raleigh and looked often to see if the Chapel Hill Whole Foods started carrying them. Glad to see they're finally here!

Naturally Kerr Update

2009-08-05T14:32:00.000-04:00

Taken from the Gluten Free Raleigh Blog...

I wrote back in April about a brand new concept being launched at Kerr Drug called Naturally Kerr. In that article I shared the following about the first two Kerr Drug stores to get this update in the entire nation (Raleigh & Asheville).

Non health categories such as automotive and hardware were removed. Their space was filled with a wide range of natural and organic products. The stores stock such items as gluten-free and allergy-free foods, kids' organic vitamins and supplements, and organic pet supplies and toys. There is also a natural baby section with organic diapers, lotions and other products. Along with sections dedicated to natural and organic products, there are also more of those items scattered throughout the stores.

I was recently contacted by Kerr Drug with the exciting announcement that the concept has been popular enough to open a third store. Lucky for us, it's close by in Chapel Hill. Check out the information below.

Kerr Drug Winning Customers “Naturally”
Company will open its third Naturally Kerr store in Chapel Hill

Raleigh. NC- July, 2009- Kerr Drug, a leading provider of pharmacy and other health care related services, will open another of its new Naturally Kerr locations to meet customer demand. The Chapel Hill store will be located in the new East 54
retail/residential/office community. The store will open October 26th with a Grand Opening celebration planned for November. Naturally Kerr locations become a “store within a store,” replacing traditional “drug store” convenience items such as automotive and hardware with natural, homeopathic and organic products. Naturally Kerr will fill about ¼ of the retail space.

“In three months, sales of natural, organic and homeopathic products at our two Naturally Kerr stores have exceeded our expectations,” says Anthony Civello, president and CEO of Kerr Drug. “Because of the tremendous customer demand we are moving ahead with a third location.”

Naturally Kerr stores opened in Kerr Drug locations in Harvest Plaza in Raleigh and on Patton Avenue in Asheville in April.
The Homeopathic department carries a complete line of health and beauty aids, supplements, baby and child remedies, diet and energy, digestive, and herbal products. The Natural and Organic categories include wheat-free/gluten free baking mixes, grains, desserts, snacks, cereals; breakfast products; candy, cookies, crackers; meals-to-go, entrees and soups; juices; pastas and sauces; organic pet food; coffees and teas and a variety of pantry items.

“Sales of gluten-free products are especially strong,” reports Anthony Latini, manager of Kerr Drug’s Harvest Plaza store in Raleigh. “We are meeting many first time shoppers who have never been in a Kerr Drug before and heard about us from friends or on a blog site. I am happy we are meeting the customer’s needs.”

Kerr Drug’s new Chapel Hill store will also feature an American Diabetes Association certified Diabetes Research Center and a full-time Community Health Resource Coordinator.

It's interesting to note how the press release specifically mentions the effect of blogs like Gluten Free Raleigh. As consumers, we can use blogs and the word of mouth they generate to help nudge companies to cater to those living the Gluten Free Lifestyle. Please continue to support Gluten Free Raleigh and other GF Blogs and help spread the word! If you hear of something great in the GF world, please contact me so I can write about it. We are having an impact.

Restaurant Review: McAlister's Deli

2009-07-27T20:57:00.003-04:00

Debbie's post at Gluten Free Durham reminded me that I meant to do a review on McAlister's. Earlier in the summer I went to the one in Durham at New Hope Commons, but there is also a McAlister's on Franklin Street.

Here is the list of gluten free options on the website:

Sandwiches without bread: Smoked Deli Turkey, Roast Beef, Corned Beef, Chicken Salad, and Tuna Salad.

Southwestern Roasted Corn Soup

Plain Baked Potato with (or without) butter

Sides: Mashed potatoes without gravy, potato salad, steamed broccoli & carrots, and fruit salad

Dressings and Extras: all cheeses, lite sour cream, all salad dressing, bacon, and bacon bits

Grilled chicken breast is not gluten free due to the seasoning.

When I went to McAlister's I got a baked potato with butter, cheese, bacon, and sour cream. I've only been once, but I'll certainly go again!

Restaurant Update: Carmine's

2009-07-07T18:29:00.003-04:00

A few weeks ago Darius, owner and chef of Carmine's, asked for my feedback concerning gluten free pasta dishes. I had the opportunity to try a couple of new items. After speaking with him again I feel very comfortable with Carmine's efforts to ensure the safety of those choosing to eat gluten free.

I decided to give Carmine's another try when my office needed lunch for a meeting. I was in charge of coordinating lunch and new everyone would find something they liked.

I enjoyed baked ziti without meat sauce. It was a takeout dish that was labeled as gluten free. I talked to Darius when picking it up and he assured me it was safe and he cooked it himself. Always ask to speak to him when ordering your meal. Thankfully, there is now a "gluten free pasta" button on the cash register to avoid any confusion.

I am very impressed with the changes that have been made. I highly recommend Carmine's as a great place to eat. I'm excited to see a local restaurant give so much attention to the gluten free diet. Please show your appreciation by giving Carmine's a try!

Update: Betty Crocker Gluten Free Mixes

2009-06-21T19:29:00.008-04:00

I found the new Betty Crocker gluten free mixes in Chapel Hill today! The cookie, brownie, and devil's food cake mixes are at Food Lion across from Eastgate. The address is 1720 N. Fordham Blvd. At that location the mixes are $4.29 each.

Restaurant Review: Carmine's - Resolved

2009-06-20T18:50:00.016-04:00

EDIT: See post for July 7, 2009. Carmine's has made a lot of positive changes and I highly recommend them.

In February, I wrote about Carmine's in Eastgate Shopping Center and had a great experience. However, I can't say the same tonight. I was told there were two types of gluten free pasta: spaghetti and penne. So, like last time I ordered Baked Ziti with gluten free penne. The waiter did not know the difference between "gluten free" and "whole wheat" pasta and I was given the wrong one. When I got the pasta I thought that it was darker than last time, but I thought it was all in my head. I often worry more than I should when ordering gluten free at restaurants.

Everyone apologized profusely, but as you know there is nothing else to be done. They were truly sorry and handled it the best that they could. The looks on everyone's faces said a lot about how sorry they were. We had a party of 5 and were not charged for our meals.

Right now, I am drinking lots of water hoping I won't feel too sick later tonight. I have not been sick in over two years and am not happy (to be as nice as possible).

In the future, I was told I could see the box of gluten free pasta and speak with the chef beforehand. If you ever decide to take the risk I would go as far as possible to ensure that everyone understands what it means to be gluten free. I feel bad for everyone there because I know how hard they try to accommodate special dietary needs. However, Carmine's would have to assure me that all employees are properly trained to the upmost degree before I'd ever go back.

I suggest that Carmine's uses different plates (different color, shape, etc.) as a sign that the dish is gluten free. Bella Monica and PF Changs have different plates. It eases customers' concerns and helps employees know that the meal needs special attention.

EDIT @ 9:15 pm (about 3 hours later): Definitely sick as of a few minutes ago, but doing alright, considering.

Betty Crocker Gluten Free Mixes

2009-06-20T15:42:00.003-04:00

I finally was able to find some of the Betty Crocker gluten free mixes! I found the cookie mix and brownie mix last night at Harris Teeter in Durham. The address is: 1125 W NC Highway 54. It's pretty close to the Chapel Hill border. The brownies are great! :-) That Harris Teeter didn't have the Strawberry or Chocolate Chex, but I'll check again soon. I've looked all over Chapel Hill and haven't found the mixes, Strawberry Chex, or Chocolate Chex. If you find them, let me know!

Cafe Carolina

2009-06-19T19:04:00.006-04:00

In the past I have contacted Cafe Carolina regarding gluten free options. I was told that they were aware of the needs of celiacs, but no menu items had been evaluated.

Cafe Carolina kept the addresses of people asking about gluten free on file. Today, I received an e-mail saying that the in-house nutrition consultant recommends certain items.

A quote from the e-mail is below:

Please note that we do not position any menu products as recommended for gluten-free diets and ingredients can change based on availability from the distributor, etc. Our General Managers will do their best to accommodate any special request, but they are not trained in the limitations of a gluten-free diet and will rely on you to instruct them on how to accommodate your request. If you suffer from gluten intolerance or celiac disease, please make sure that you are very specific with them about how to avoid cross-contamination.

As you can see, be careful giving instructions when you are requesting a meal. And if you have any doubt, don't take the risk. Hopefully, managers will become better trained on the details of the gluten free diet with time.

For now, here is the recommendation:

SUGGESTIONS/COMMENTS FROM NUTRITION CONSULTANT:
Listed below are salad items and a few other side items that can be prepared GLUTEN FREE. My suggestion is that a guest specifically orders a salad prepared GLUTEN FREE and that clean gloves, clean tongs and a clean mixing bowl be used to assemble the salad. This method should reduce the potential of cross contamination from other salads (mixing bowls), gloves used to handle breads and croutons and tongs. Gluten sensitivity does not produce the serious anaphylaxis complications that other allergens produce (such as peanuts). However, those suffering from GLUTEN INTOLERANCE or CELIAC DISEASE need to avoid all wheat, rye and barley and potential cross contamination with foods make from those common food ingredients.

CAFÉ SALADS THAT CAN BE ASSEMBLED GLUTEN FREE:
Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad *
Caesar Salad *
Signature Salad *
House Salad *
Cobb Salad *
Turkey Berry Salad *
Tuna Salad Plate
Café Salad Sampler Plate
Chicken Salad Plate
ALL SALAD DRESSINGS

*ELIMINATE THE CROUTONS AND BREAD CHOICE FROM ALL SALADS

OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE GLUTEN FREE:
Fruit Cup
Cole Slaw
All meats (Roast Beef, Turkey, Salami, Chicken Breasts, Chunk Chicken (White and Dark), Pork BBQ, Sausage Patties, Bacon Slices, Bacon Bits)
All Cheeses

CONTAINS GLUTEN:
Other Salads not listed above
All Breads (Sandwiches, Flatbreads)
All Bakery (Sweets, Breakfast Breads, Breads, Treats)
All Brunch
Croutons
Crackers
Soups
Quiche
Egg Rounds (on breakfast sandwiches)
Yogurt
Potato Casserole

Cafe Carolina in Chapel Hill is located at 601 Meadowmont Village Circle. If you go soon, let me know about your experience there!

Gluten Free Raleigh Special Event: GF Cooking Demo w/ Jules Shepard

2009-06-19T13:24:00.001-04:00

Click here for more information about an upcoming Gluten Free cooking demonstration with famous Celiac author Jules Shepard. The event will be held at the Earth Fare in Raleigh on July 12, 2009 @ 10am. Please sign up soon as only 40 spaces are available.

Custom Choice Cereal, LLC

2009-06-10T17:07:00.010-04:00

I recently came across an interesting blog that talks about the creation of a local gluten free cereal company, Custom Choice Cereal. The company was founded in April by two students who graduated this year from the MBA program at the University of North Carolina.

Here is a piece of an e-mail that I received from the founders that helps explain the concept of their business:

Custom Choice Cereal will allow celiacs and people suffering from gluten intolerance to create their own favorite cereal from a wide variety of entirely gluten-free ingredients. Through our online platform (www.customchoicecereal.com), celiacs can pick a base mix, add dried fruit, nuts, and seeds as they please and give their cereal an individual name. We create the cereal mix in our entirely gluten-free facility and ship it conveniently to their doorstep. Custom Choice Cereal provides safe, healthy cereal specifically tailored to the needs of celiacs.

The website will go live soon and the company plans to be fully operational in July.

Updates to come!

New Treatment Could Give Hope to Celiac Patients

2009-06-05T11:59:00.005-04:00

Go here to watch a video and read an article that talks about a potential treatment for celiacs aside from the GF diet. As discussed in the video, there are ongoing studies to create a pill that can be taken before a meal so that people with celiac disease can eat foods that are not gluten free. Would you consider taking a pill like this?

Cinnamon Chex Cereal

2009-06-01T17:25:00.003-04:00

The new Cinnamon Chex cereal is now at the Harris Teeter in Meadowmont. Just like the other cereals, "gluten free" is in huge letters on the box. Be sure to check the label because some of the old cereals may still be on the shelves. I have to say that the cinnamon is my new favorite. I'll probably go tonight to see if the cake mixes are available since they are supposed to be in stores starting this month. If you happen to try the cake mixes first, let me know how they compare in taste as well as cost to other mixes you've tried!

Gluten Free Beer Update

2009-05-23T23:33:00.004-04:00

I recently found a search tool on the front page of the Redbridge website that lets you enter your zip code in order to show you where the beer can be found near you. I put in my current zip code (27517) and learned that Redbridge is served at two locations nearby:

Dead Mule Club
303 W. Franklin St.

He’s Not Here
112 ½ W. Franklin St.

I read on another website that Bub O’Malley’s at 157 E. Rosemary St. also serves gluten free beer.

I have not contacted any of these places yet, but they seem worth checking out. The Redbridge retail locator lets you find which grocery stores carry the beer as well.

Tyler's Taproom

2009-05-11T19:26:00.012-04:00

A big thanks goes out to John, one of the readers of the Gluten Free Chapel Hill blog. Restaurants and bars that have gluten free beer are always a little bit harder to find. John e-mailed Ciara at Tyler’s Restaurant & Taproom in Carrboro and received this response:

Hey John,

We actually have carried New Grist Gluten Free beer for almost a year now. Sorry you were misinformed.

New Grist is the first beer brewed without malted barley or any gluten-containing products to be recognized as beer by the U.S. Government. Each batch brewed at Lakefront’s Milwaukee headquarters is tested for gluten prior to fermentation, before being bottled and shipped. The beer is now available for distribution nationwide in six packs of 12-ounce bottles.

New Grist is brewed from sorghum, hops, water, rice and gluten-free yeast grown on molasses. These ingredients are carefully combined to form a crisp and refreshing "session ale" sure to be popular among those with celiac disease, but really brewed for anyone with an appreciation for great tasting, handmade beer.

It is also available for you to buy and take home from the Bottle Shop located next to Tyler's Taproom in Carrboro. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call. You can always ask for the manager if you have any questions while in the restaurant.

All the best,
Ciara

So, there you have it! They also have locations in Durham and Apex, but I am not sure if gluten free beer is carried there. Tyler’s Taproom is also coming to Raleigh according to the website.

I will write about my experience there soon as well as other locations in Chapel Hill (at least two more) that I have heard may have gluten free beer.

Tyler’s Taproom in Carrboro is located at 102 E. Main St. and is open from 11 am to 2 am.

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Restaurant Review: EVOS

2009-04-26T12:47:00.004-04:00

EVOS in Eastgate Shopping Center next to Trader Joe’s offers a healthier type of fast food. The burgers are without the usual extra hormones and antibiotics. The French fries called “Airfries” are gluten free because they are baked in an oven instead of fried in a fryer.

You can go here to see the complete EVOS menu. EVOS does not currently have a gluten free menu. The allergen menu on their website does not work yet because they are updating it. However, when you walk into EVOS there is a sign that reads, “Lower carb? Gluten free? Ask a team member.” The team member I talked to was very helpful and had all the knowledge involving gluten free options.

Before you walk up to the counter to order you'll see a display of healthy snacks you can purchase. I was surprised to see Kind bars, Think Thin bars, and other foods labeled as gluten free.

I decided to get a steak burger (minus bun, of course) with Airfries and a chocolate milkshake. I believe the Mesquite sauce was the only sauce that was not gluten free, but still make sure to ask. Though I was surprised that the food portions were smaller than normal I shouldn't have been because EVOS is a restaurant that helps people eat healthier.

When you visit EVOS you’ll see that their business concept revolves around social responsibility and being kind to the environment. The EVOS in Chapel Hill is the only one in North Carolina and there are not very many locations in other states. EVOS seems to be a little ahead of its time, but I hope that the concept of healthier, organic fast food continues to catch on even more.

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Gluten Free Bake Sale TODAY

2009-04-20T12:07:00.011-04:00

There are flyers posted around the campus at UNC detailing a bake sale that is going on today. I apologize for the late notice. I just found out about it.

Here is the information I got from the flyer:

UNC SILS Special Libraries Association
Bake Sale - including vegan and gluten free
Today, Monday, April 20
11-4 pm
Outside Manning Hall

I contacted Brendan, who is in charge of the bake sale (brthomps@email.unc.edu) and he said that he was not sure which baked goods would be gluten free but there would probably be cookies. EDIT @ 1:50 pm - I was told that there are delicious gluten free brownies.

Here is a map showing where Manning Hall is located.

Here is the webpage from Visitor Services showing parking information.

Unfortunately, I will not be able to check out the bake sale today. If you get a chance to go, please let me know!

Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop

2009-04-10T18:55:00.009-04:00

I frequently enjoy Ben & Jerry’s ice cream that I purchase from the grocery store. I recently remembered that Ben & Jerry’s has a scoop shop at 102 West Franklin Street and wanted to see what that particular location had to say about gluten free options. I e-mailed Ben & Jerry’s and received an e-mail from Antonio, the catering coordinator at the shop in Chapel Hill.

The following is a list of gluten free options that you can get in a cup:

Ice Cream
Butter Pecan
Cherry Garcia
Chocolate Fair Trade
Chocolate Macadamia
Chunky Monkey
Coffee Fair Trade
Coffee Coffee Buzz Buzz Buzz
Mint Chocolate Chunk
New York Super Fudge Chunk
Orange & Cream
Phish Food
Strawberry
Triple Caramel Chunk
Vanilla Fair Trade
Vanilla Heath Bar Crunch

Yogurt
Black Raspberry Swirl LF Yogurt
Strawberry Banana LF Yogurt
Vanilla LF Yogurt

Sorbet
Berry Berry Extraordinary
Lemonade
Mango Mango
Strawberry Kiwi

No Sugar Added (NSA)
NSA Vanilla Fudge Chip

The bottom of the e-mail says that you should let your ice cream scooper know if you have food allergies so that he or she can take any extra precautions to ensure your safety. Also, according to the website the hot fudge, caramel, and butterscotch sauces that the scoop shops serve are completely gluten free.

You can go here to read Ben & Jerry’s allergen statement concerning their ice cream that can be bought in grocery stores.

Ben & Jerry’s also has locations in Raleigh and Durham.

Twins Kitchen Update: Local Farmer's Markets

2009-04-08T08:42:00.000-04:00

Twins Kitchen/Twin Cakes Bakery recently announced the upcoming 2009 Farmer's Market schedule and which markets they will be participating in. Stop in to any of the markets below in Raleigh, Chapel Hill or Hillsborough to try out their awesome Gluten Free products if you have never tried them. They will be offering a wide range of products at the market this year and of course everything offered is gluten/wheat free and vegan.

Mid-Town Farmer's Market (formally North Hills Farmer's Market)
8 AM - 12 PM every Saturday beginning April 11, 2009
Located by the movie theater at North Hills

Carrboro/Chapel Hill Farmer's Market (a.k.a. Southern Village Farmer's Market)
3:30 PM - 6:30 PM every Thursday beginning May 7, 2009
Located at Southern Village on Market Street

Hillsborough Farmer's Market
4 Pm - 7 PM every Wednesday beginning April 8, 2009
Located in the Home Depot parking lot on NC86 and I-85

If you have any special request or want to make a pre-order to pick up at the market please call the Twins at 919-306-5304.

Also, stay tuned for some more exciting news from Twin Cakes Bakery - they will soon have a brand new Web site up and running which will focus solely on their bakery products. They also will be offering dry mixes for you to take home and bake yourself. Stay tuned!

Honey Nut Chex Cereal Now at the Harris Teeter in Meadowmont

2009-04-06T20:39:00.006-04:00

General Mills has recently announced that they will be reformulating a number of their cereals to be gluten free. You can read Zach’s post over at Gluten Free Raleigh for more details. I recently went to the Harris Teeter at Meadowmont and was very happy to find that the gluten free Honey Nut Chex is already on the shelves. I actually was not buying cereal, but the huge writing on the box caught my eye. The word is that the other cereals will be available by June 1.

Restaurant Review: Chill Bubble Tea

2009-03-28T13:24:00.005-04:00

Chill Bubble Tea located at 145 E. Franklin Street offers a different type of drink. So, what exactly is bubble tea? I found the following on their website:

“Bubble Tea is a delicious combination of fruits or teas, blended together into a smoothie and poured over tapioca pearls. Tapioca pearls are small chewy pieces of tapioca which are made fresh at every Chill Bubble Tea store.”

I’ve been to Chill once before and got the almond flavor. It was delicious. They offer a variety of classic teas that include: avocado, cantaloupe, cherry, coconut, french vanilla, green tea latte, honeydew, lychee, milk tea, taro, and watermelon. The fresh fruit bubble teas include: strawberry, kiwi, banana, mango, and pineapple. I see on the homepage that there is a mocha bean bubble tea that I can’t wait to try!

If bubble tea isn’t your thing, they also have loose leaf teas. A list of flavors can be found here.

I contacted Chill yesterday to get the most up-to-date gluten free information. After calling corporate, I received this email:

To answer your questions, we do not use any wheat or gluten in any of our products. The only exception may be some of the toppings for the Chill Swirl frozen yogurts, such as the cereal toppings. As far as our bubble teas, loose leaf teas and our actual frozen yogurt, they are wheat and gluten free.

Please feel free to contact me with any other questions. Have a Chill day!

Samuel
samchae@chillbubbletea.com

As you can see above, the options are plenty with the exception of some of the creations toppings and cereal toppings.

Enjoy!

Petition to the Raleigh City Council - Food Allergen Poster

2009-03-20T06:37:00.000-04:00

Over the last few weeks, I have been thinking about new ways to improve the lives of those with Celiac Disease and/or another food allergies. Dining out in restaurants is a big issue for the estimated 12 million Americans with a food allergy. For those of us on a Gluten Free Diet, we are well aware of the dangers of eating out.

About this same time, I saw an interesting article about something the City Council of New York City did. The NYC City Council actually passed a law which requires restaurants to display a food allergy education poster and will fine locations $100 for non-compliance. I thought this was a great idea and would be a good starting point in the education of food service workers in the food allergy arena. Of course this does not guarantee that food allergy sufferers can have a safe meal, but it is a start down that path. Food service workers need to know what the allergies are and how to prevent cross-contamination.

So, I decided to email the Raleigh City Council about the issue and my proposal. I offered up my services on the creation of the poster and anything else they would need. I have not heard back as of yet. In the meantime, I created an online petition to gain a little more ammunition. Please take just a few minutes to read the petition and to sign it. The more signatures, the more the City Council will take this issue seriously. Thanks for your time and support!

Click here to sign the Food Allergy Education Poster Petition to the City Council of Raleigh, North Carolina.

15,900

2009-03-19T14:52:00.001-04:00

15,900 - That's my estimate on the number of Celiac's in Triangle area.

15,423 - If you go by the NFCA's estimate that 97% of Celiacs are undiagnosed, this is my estimate of undiagnosed Celiac cases in the Triangle.

So here we are, 477 of us - with more coming each day thanks to increasing awareness and better diagnosis. From the statistics kept on visitors to this blog and the number of RSS subscribers, I would estimate that about 120-140 of the 477 are reading this blog each day.

I didn't just make these numbers up of course, new information was released today (see this article from the N&O) about Triangle population estimates. The Raleigh-Cary area now tops the nation in growth.

The Raleigh-Cary metropolitan area, which includes Wake, Johnston and Franklin counties, grew by 4.3 percent from July 2007 to July 2008, and is now home to close to 1.1 million people. It well outpaced its closest rival, the Austin, Texas, area, which grew by 3.8 percent, to become the national leader.

The national growth average was just under 1 percent.

The Triangle has been near the top of the nation's growth chart for more than a decade, as newcomers poured into the area to take jobs in technology, tourism and academia. The resulting building boom, and the jobs that came with it, drew hundreds of thousands of new residents.

The Durham-Chapel Hill metropolitan area, which includes Durham, Orange, Chatham and Person counties, didn't make the Top 10, but its population continued to swell at a steady 2.5 percent, up slightly from the year before. Just fewer than 490,000 people live in that area.

So there are 1.59 million Triangle residents. Some estimates say that 1% of the population in the US has Celiac. So what does this mean to all of us? The Triangle has a formidable number of Celiacs and this information should help drive the market for Gluten Free products. I hope to see more and more restaurants, grocery stores, etc... catering to us in the future. With almost 16,000 of the most loyal customers ever created, how could they not?

Restaurant Review: Spanky’s

2009-03-15T00:31:00.005-04:00

Spanky’s Restaurant and Bar located at 101 E. Franklin Street is a place I often visit. I decided to call Spanky’s before going tonight so that I could have the most up-to-date gluten free info. The hostess who answered the phone was very knowledgeable. She told me that the ribs, barbeque plate, and hamburger without bun were all gluten free. I was told that customers often ask about gluten free options and I know from experience that servers are always very helpful. The hostess told me that any dish could be modified to be gluten free if I asked. Also, she offered to let me speak to the chef if I had a question about a certain dish. Tonight, as usual, I got the Carolina BBQ Plate with coleslaw. Just make sure to order fresh fruit instead of cornbread.

Spanky’s is open for lunch from 11 am to 4 pm seven days a week. The dinner hours are from 4 pm to 9:30 pm Sunday to Wednesday and 4 pm to 11 pm Thursday to Saturday.

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Restaurant Review: Hardee's

2009-02-22T17:53:00.004-05:00

Hardee’s has two locations in Chapel Hill: 1800 Fordham Blvd and 6116 Farrington Rd. The Farrington Rd. location is off of Highway 54 at the light right before you merge onto I-40 East at Exit 273. I remembered I heard that Hardee’s had a 1/3 Low Carb Thickburger, so I thought it was time I tried it. The low carb burger is made from 100% Black Angus beef and has everything that a “regular” burger does minus the bun.

I had not tried fast-food except for a few times since I was diagnosed with celiac disease almost three years ago. I could not believe how good the Low Carb Thickburger was! One burger is around $3.50 which is more than most fast-food burgers but is definitely worth it.

You can view the PDF concerning allergen information here. It was updated January 26, 2009.

I did not think to see if the French fries were cooked in a dedicated fryer, but I will have to ask next time I go. After I got home I realized that the allergen menu indicates that the ice cream minus cookie dough and cookies and cream is gluten free. That’s another thing I will have to look into soon. If you happen to gain any insight into either of those things, let me know!

The 1/3 Low Carb Thickburger is a great alternative to the usually pricey gluten free food!

Restaurant Review: Carmine's - Valentine's Day

2009-02-14T17:56:00.003-05:00

Carmine's Ristorante and Pizzeria is located at 1800 E. Franklin Street in Eastgate Plaza to the right of Stein Mart. I saw on their website that they can accommodate gluten free diets, so I went to check it out. It says to ask about vegetarian and vegan diets as well. I decided to go to Carmine's at lunch today because I knew they'd be less busy and I wanted to make sure they'd have all the time I needed to talk about gluten free options.

The waiter was very informative and told me that I was able to choose from gluten free ziti and spaghetti. If you ask, the waiter can also advise you on what chicken dishes to order. I was told that several of the dishes are dusted with flour before they're cooked, but that I could request no flour. I was told that Redbridge beer is also available. I decided to order the baked ziti without meat sauce and a glass of water. I was impressed that bread wasn't mentioned and that the waiter didn't bring any wheat bread to our table. Usually, in a restaurant if I ask for gluten free they'll still bring a basket of bread. The waiter apologized that my order took a little longer, but I didn't mind because I know it was because my meal needed more attention. I was just glad that gluten free pasta was an option!

When I got my receipt, I looked twice because it indicated that I was charged an extra dollar for whole grain pasta. The waiter assured me that the marker was only a substitute because there isn't a gluten free button on the register. Only one more dollar for gluten free pasta is a great deal! Two gluten free entrees and two glasses of water was only $30 including tip!

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Restaurant Review: Chipotle Mexican Grill

2009-02-05T19:32:00.005-05:00

Chipotle Mexican Grill located at 301 W. Franklin St. has a variety of gluten free options. They also provide a list that indicates how to avoid any of the top eight allergens. You can view the menu here:

http://www.chipotle.com/Chipotle_Allergen_Card.pdf

Everything is gluten free except for the obvious wheat burrito tortillas and soft wheat taco tortillas.

In addition, under the FAQ section there is information on how Chipotle can help accommodate a vegan or vegetarian diet.

From their website (www.chipotle.com):

I am a vegan. What can I eat?
You should avoid our pinto beans (they are cooked with a small amount of bacon), meats (duh, I know), cheese, sour cream, and chipotle-honey vinaigrette.

I am a vegetarian. What can I eat?
You should avoid our pinto beans (they are cooked with a small amount of bacon) and our meats. Our cheese is made with a vegetable-based rennet, and our sour cream is 100% cultured cream. If your own personal vegetarian guidelines therefore allow you to eat these dairy items, then that's terrific. If not, then you should avoid them. Please note this information is different for those who choose a vegan diet.

The gluten free options include crispy tacos, salads, and bowls. To go with those three options you can pick from chicken, steak, barbacoa, rice, pinto beans, fajita veggies, black beans, sour cream, cheese, lettuce, guacamole, four types of salsa, etc. The plain tortilla chips are also gluten free.

A couple of weeks ago I went to Chipotle and ordered the crispy chicken tacos with pinto beans, rice, lettuce, cheese, and sour cream along with chips and fresh tomato salsa. I didn’t have any problems. Chipotle advises that you ask the employees to change gloves when preparing your meal to be sure that you avoid any cross-contamination.

I decided to use Chipotle’s online ordering system the first time I went so I would have all the time I needed to look at the gluten free options. Just make sure that you call the restaurant after placing your order online as indicated on the website.

I will definitely be going back to Chipotle again soon!

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New Guest Chapel Hill Blogger - Lauren Rouse

2009-02-05T09:35:00.001-05:00

Allow me to introduce Lauren Rouse who will become a guest blogger for Gluten Free Chapel Hill.

See my post over at Gluten Free Raleigh about Lauren.

More to come from Lauren and her Chapel Hill experiences very soon!

Stay tuned.

Chapel Hill, NC Bloggers Needed

2009-01-21T08:29:00.000-05:00

Live in Chapel Hill, NC?

Live the Gluten Free Lifestyle?

Interested in helping others in your city?

If you have any questions or interest writing about Chapel Hill, NC please email me.