FDA Approves Gluten Free Beer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.


View Larger Map

Restaurant Review: EVOS

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.


View Larger Map

Gluten Free Bake Sale TODAY

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!