Fairy Bread

A couple of years ago Gracie had to make some sort of food from another country for her class. We looked at Australia and found a traditional kids party treat - Fairy Bread! Never has a treat been more simple AND simply good.

In a nutshell it is bread spread with butter and topped with sprinkles - nonpareils specifically but honestly any sprinkles will do. The crunchiness and sweetness of the sprinkles combined with the creaminess of the butter and the substance of the bread - lovely.

Traditionally sprinkles are made with rice flower - many say specifically on their label they are gluten free. Gracie is currently making her Fairy Bread with Udi's White Sandwich Bread, butter and Halloween sprinkles - never mind it is March :)

Whataburger

We were traveling through South Texas this week and stopped at Whataburger in Seguin for lunch. I went ahead to see if their french fries were gluten free. I spoke to the General Manager - Joe Garza - and he told me they were. He also told me they have separate fryers for the fish, chicken and fries and was really helpful.

I went out to get the family and we started walking in - out runs Joe looking for us! He was very concerned because he told me wrong - they fried onion rings in the same fryer as the fries. He was VERY concerned that Gracie might get sick if she ate them. I really appreciated his concern.

We decided not to eat there however I called the Whataburger corporate office to brag on Mr. Garza and kindly request they consider making their fries gluten free.

Here is a link to Whataburger's list of items that contain gluten. I do think it is interesting that they have a list of items that CONTAIN gluten - which basically causes us to have to stare at the menu to try to figure out which things do NOT contain gluten.

Chipotle Restaurants

I was watching a taped show of Oprah's - "Food 101." The owner of Chipotle Restaurants was on talking about the freshness of the foods etc. I then wondered if they had gluten free items - they do!! Take a look at the link above - it is the "FAQ" page and they talk about their gluten free products and procedures. Also - they have an "Allergen chart" which shows the foods that contain gluten - most do not.

The Burrito Bowl looks awesome - all the burrito goodness and none of the flour tortillas.

It is nice to know there are other restaurants to add to our gluten free list.

Gluten free at P.F. Chang's China Bistro

My friend Darin emailed me this info today. P.F. Chang's has had a gluten free menu but today they added 5 new beef dishes!

I have to say it has been years since I have been to P.F. Chang's. No reason why - we just haven't been. I do remember it fondly. You know I always love it when a restaurant is accommodating to a gluten free diet. They even have gluten free soy sauce.

P.F. Chang's gluten free menu is LOVELY! Many favorites and new things to try. They even have dessert!

I called the Grapevine location and spoke to a manager (I am sorry I didn't get his name - he was very helpful.) I asked how they prevented cross contamination with their gluten free items and he stated that the gluten free area - like the vegetarian area - is separate from the main cooking area. They have separate woks and utensils and a shelf that is earmarked for these things. The manager invited me to call back anytime with any questions.

The last time I went to P.F. Chang's it was just Gracie and I. She had an appointment in Grapevine and she wanted to go because they had Magnadoodles (magnetic write on toys for kids.) We shared a dinner and a fun evening - just Mom and daughter. Gracie was about 6 at the time. We need to go back.

Check out the menu. It looks awesome, the food at P.F. Chang's is fresh and not expensive (lunch is about $9, dinner goes up to about $18) and it is a great place to go to dinner with friends and family.

Things have been slow around here...

My laptop broke! I have been sharing Troy's laptop (thanks Troy!) but between sharing the laptop, kids, and just plain worn out from work. Sorry for not keeping up - I will try harder.

Also - I have changed some of my information on my "About me." I am no longer "Owned by Miss Kitty." Sadly we lost her about a month ago and we miss her terribly. She was loved by everyone who knew her and because of her "God Mother" Miss Nancy who lives across the street she was known all over town. She had pictures painted of her, a stamp made, greeting cards, was on a calender and was a "Feline friend of the Library."

Recently I have had the (very bittersweet) opportunity to meet several people who have been recently diagnosed with Celiac. It is bittersweet because I hate that they were diagnosed but I love that it is easier to diagnose AND there are more products out there for those who are gluten free than every before. Gracie gets excited to hear about someone else - it is good for her to know she isn't alone. We are a community.

Thank you for following my blog. I love doing it - and I love that others enjoy reading it.

Tostadas

I spoke before about taco shells - which we love. I have recently discovered my kids actually prefer the Tostada shells. I like that I don't have to cook them before serving.

Sam likes them with bean dip and / or taco meat on top. Gracie likes them with shredded cheddar and lettuce. I like them with cheddar melted on top - like Joe T Garcia's nachos. Troy likes them topped with meat, cheese, lettuce and salsa then chopped up into a salad. I also love that tostada night is a night where we all enjoy our dinner.

Gluten free at Pei Wei

Last night the kids and I went to Pei Wei. We all LOVE Pei Wei and it is someplace where the kids will eat everything on their plate.

I have mentioned several times that Gracie is VERY picky - which is a royal pain. Troy figured out that Gracie likes it better with the sauce left off. I figured out that she likes the sauce on the side for dipping. I also figured out that Pei Wei is AWESOME at accommodating even the pickiest eaters! Grace gets basically chicken nuggets with rice and veggies on the side and I get a kid who will eat all of her meat. This is a kid who does NOT eat much meat at all. I love the fact that I get a fun meal out at a restaurant "I" love and the kids love also.

Great information from General Mills!

My friend Kathy sent this link to me - it is AWESOME!

General Mills Living Gluten Freely is a great site with recipes, product information etc. I love that gluten free has gone "mainstream" and it is easier than ever to find products at your grocery store - instead of having to always go to a specialty store - for gluten free products.

Check it out!

Interesting information from the Food and Drug Administration

While looking at the Nutella website I came across this LINK to the Food and Drug Administration.

It has a lot of really good information about labeling information for Gluten free products as well as information on Celiac Disease.

I am really excited when I see clear labeling for gluten free products. It is a no brainer - you don't have to worry if the food is safe or not.

Taco shells

We have always been taco fans at our house. We have used flour tortillas or soft corn tortillas - never really buying the crunchy corn shells. Well... then there was Gracie.

Crunchy taco shells are basically corn, oil and salt. They come in regular, large, flat bottomed (our favorite for some odd reason - they don't break while filling them) and tostada shells.

Last night while going to a Mexican restaurant it dawned on me that restaurants usually serve pre-made crunchy taco shells. We were going to Rosa's Mexican restaurant and learned they don't make their own. Gracie had lettuce and cheese tacos (since she is basically a vegetarian other than fish and bacon) and ate every bite.

I realize this is "common sense" for many Celiacs - but the fact is often I realize down the road "Oh - that is gluten free - she can eat that!" I think this is true for many Celiacs - you strip yourself down to the basics then start realizing what you CAN have.

Audios!

I had such hope

Tomorrow night is "Cici's Pizza night" to raise money for our school so the 4th graders can go to camp. We were SO excited because we learned they can make a gluten free pizza! Whoo hoo!!

I decided to call ahead to get some information and asked for the manager. I asked about a gluten free pizza - he had no clue what I was asking.

I said "crust less pizza."

He said "Oh - we can do that. We put it in a personal pizza pan and use sauce and cheese and whatever other toppings you want. "

I wanted to clarify it could be gluten free (as in a pan free of wheat residue etc.) so I said "So you can make it with out flour on it at all?"

His response - "We don't have any of that here - you don't have to worry."

(Me) "You don't have what?"

(Him) "Any of that stuff you are talking about."

(Me) "Flour? It is in all of your pizzas."

(Him) "Huh? What? No - we don't have that."

I started to explain myself and Troy wisely said "Hang up." I excused myself and hung up.

Sigh.

Double sigh.

I am not as disappointed that we couldn't get gluten free pizza as I am upset that it was proven to me that sometimes businesses will say what they think they want you to hear to "make you happy." We would have been in a world of hurt if we had trusted this "manager" and his "don't worry." Not to mention how disappointed Gracie would have been if we had gotten there only to have to leave because we were misinformed.

Update

Well - it turns out it was a case of "Stupid is as stupid does."

I decided to drop Gracie off at basketball practice and take Sam to Cici's for dinner as a reward for a good report card.

We got here and I ordered a cheese free pizza for Sam (which he devoured!) and saw a Manager walking around. I asked the lady at the front if this was the same manager that was on duty last night - she said it was a different one. When he stopped by our table to ask how everything was I said "I have heard you can make a crust less pizza here - do you?" He told me that yes they can - they put it in a foil "to go" pan (aka for the Celiac as "Safe!") and will put sauce and cheese then any topping you want. YEA!! Of course Gracie only likes cheese on her pizza so she would be eating a little sauce and melted cheese but we could bring some bread for her to dip it / spread it on.

We we go there often? Probably not. However it is GREAT to know it is an option for everyone. Honestly none of us love Cici's - however with birthday parties, sports dinners and going out with friends it is nice to know it is an option.

I guess it pays to ask the question more than once - especially to someplace local.

Put a cherry on top!

Gracie LOVES Maraschino Cherries - simply loves them and always has.

She has been asking me to get some for her for a while but honestly I have forgotten to pick some up while at the store. I got some today at WalMart (Great Value brand) and it stated on the jar "Naturally a gluten free food." I really like that. We all know cherries are a naturally gluten free food but with the artificial color and extra flavoring etc. you never know what will be in it. It is nice that it is so clearly stated.

Not only does she love how they taste she just loves the "fancy" that it brings to any food. Add it to lemon lime soda, ice cream, put it on a dish of pudding or on top of the whipped cream on your hot chocolate. Fancy, fancy, fancy.

I think the thing it brings - especially to a child with Celiac - is there is SO much she can't have that is fancy. Stick a bright red cherry on top and something very simple seems kicked up a notch.

They keep forever in the fridge. Keep it on hand to put a cherry on top!