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Tuesday

Interview With Nikhil From Gluten Free Cart

If you have not heard of Gluten Free Cart, it is a unique website that provides gluten-free products to customers across Canada. Founded as a result of seeing a loved one struggling with food allergies and finding suitable, quality food.


The site has become one of the best sources of both purchasing and locating gluten-free products in Canada. with a wide selection of gluten-free food and products. With its extensive selection of products, it has become a go-to destination for those who are looking for special dietary options.


I caught up with Nikhil from GFC to get the inside scoop on his company and learn more about what makes it work.


Q: Tell me a little bit about GFC.

A: is Canada's First online marketplace of ready-to-eat food items. The food items cater to consumers who prefer allergen-free, alternative diet & lifestyle food choices (gluten/ dairy/ soy free, vegan, etc.).


Q: What inspired you to launch The Gluten Free Cart?

A: This idea took shape when I experienced a loved one struggling with food allergies in finding quality food.


Q: Who can benefit from shopping on Gluten Free Cart?

A: The website caters to people with celiac disease, as well as those who simply want to avoid gluten in their diet. It offers a variety of products ranging from baking ingredients to snacks and ready-made meals. Customers can also find recipes, tips, and resources related to living a gluten-free lifestyle on the website.


Q: What Makes GFC Unique?

A: GFC aka GlutenFreeCart is Canada's first☝ marketplace that offers: Allergen-free & Ready to eat/ mix food for its customers.


Q: Does GFC have a mission and if so, what is it?

A:  To bring affordability and choices to our customers


Q: Does GFC have any long-term goals in the marketplace?

A: Yes. To become the largest online marketplace of gluten-free food.

  • 1. Build the largest community of consumers who have special food preferences. This will bring economy of scale and hence AFFORDABILITY.
  • 2. Build the largest community of sellers to provide several CHOICES to consumers. This will help in attracting more consumers and make the marketplace more popular & integral part of sellers, and consumers' life.

  • Q: What does GFC specialize in?

    A: gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan, plant-based, tree nut-free, peanut-free, gluten-free food, allergen-free, local, bake mixes, cooking mixes, mixes, ready-to-eat, platform

Q: Why should people choose GFC for their dietary needs?

A:  Shopping through a dedicated gluten-free website can offer peace of mind. In addition, Gluten Free Cart offers a more extensive selection of specialty items that are not available at traditional grocery stores, including alternative flours, gluten-free baking mixes ready-to-cook meals, along with unique snacks and treats.



Thursday

Gluten Free Cart - Canada's First Allergen Free Online Marketplace

This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.

Gluten Free Cart Logo

Gluten Free Cart is a hyper-local Canada-wide online marketplace that connects customers with local bakeries, cafes, and shops which specialize in offering gluten-free products.

Think of Gluten Free Cart as Canada's First Online Marketplace for allergen-free ready-to-eat, cook, or bake food items.

Product options range from ready-to-eat items to baked goods and mixes. Whether you fancy baking with a premade mix, enjoying a pint of delicious ice cream OR just leaving the dinner-making to someone else, Gluten Free Cart has your needs covered.

Currently, there are 156 products offered on the website through 19 vendors in 19 cities. 
With a goal to ensure that the product selections are both affordable and easily available, Gluten Free Cart is truly a one-stop shop for Canadians looking for allergen-free food. Make that allergen-free AND fuss-free - they do all the leg work so you don't have to.

"Allergen living does not need mean restrictions. It CAN and SHOULD offer choices at affordable prices."


Let's talk about how GFC keeps costs down for both shop vendors and customers.

Each shop creates its own presence on the website and is responsible for providing its own shipping, pickup, and delivery options. Shoppers also have the option to purchase from multiple vendors in one transaction. 

The ability to customize shipping options with each vendor in one simple transaction not only saves time, but it allows YOU to ensure your needs are met.
Future plans are to expand its offerings in the future to include more snack options and easily shippable items.

By allowing these businesses to create their own presence on the website and manage their own shipping/pickup/delivery options, overall business costs are minimized, resulting in a more affordable experience for customers.

Gluten Free Cart aims to serve people who travel, live away from big cities, or simply don't have the time or energy to cook. It offers the comfort of ordering in advance and having gluten-free food available at your destination or ready for you to pick up. It works with your schedule and food needs.

Who doesn't love the convenience of ordering in advance and having food ready when you arrive at a new destination?! 

Gluten Free Cart Target Demographic



Gluten Free Cart provides convenience and comfort by eliminating the need to search for gluten-free restaurants and food options in general. We all know this can be a daunting task at the best of times, especially when traveling to an unfamiliar city. Depending on the vendor you choose, you can arrange to have your food delivered to you or be ready for pick-up when you arrive at your location. 
Gluten Free Cart also gives peace of mind by ensuring that your dietary needs are taken care of. Peace of mind means you can focus on enjoying your trip. Having food ready and waiting for you can also save time, which means that you can start enjoying your destination right away. It's a simple and efficient way to be prepared for both your food prep choices and needs.

Gluten-free isn't always simple and sometimes people need products that are gluten-free while meeting other dietary needs or wants. Everything on the Gluten Free Cart website is gluten-free, and some products are also vegan keto or peanut-free. 

Gluten Free Cart provides a customized experience that is tailored to your needs.
The website is very easy to navigate, and orders can be set for pick up, shipping, or delivery. 

So how does it work?

Let's talk about the three categories to choose from on the website - Shop Food, Shop Stores, and Shop Collections.

Here you can filter products by Store Pick Up, Delivery, or Shipping. You will need to enter an address before sorting to allow the website to see what options are available for you.

This section allows you to browse the various shop vendors participating on the GFC website. Click on a shop to learn more about them and check out their available items. Interested in a vendor but unsure still? Hit "Review" and see what others have to say! This is also a great way to shout out your favorite vendors by giving them a happy review.

Collections is a really cool feature on the site! It allows you to shop an already sorted collection of ready-to-cook mixes, baked goods, various ethnic cuisine types, and desserts. This really helps narrow things down when you have a craving of sorts but don't quite know what you want just yet.

The process of ordering is as simple as 
1. Browse & Filter Shop by food, store, or collections & apply filters
2. Checkout
Add items to the cart, apply coupons, and checkout
3. Get Product
Head to the store for pick or get delivery/ shipping
How To Order Through Gluten Free Cart


It's really encouraging to see a Canadian company stepping up and ensuring that people who eat gluten-free due to Celiac or just by choice are not forgotten about. I can't wait to see what Gluten Free Cart does next!

You can keep up to date with Gluten Free Cart by following reading their blog here and by visiting their Instagram page here

Monday

Rainy Day Penne with Italpasta Gluten-Free

It's no secret that I adore pasta. The versatility and ease of prep call my name on the regular. When the folks at Italpasta approached me to develop a recipe, I was on board in a heartbeat!


Some quick facts about Italpasta 

  • They're the largest 100% Canadian owned pasta manufacturer in Canada
  • The pasta is available in 4 cuts – spaghetti, penne rigate, fusilli and elbows with an oven-ready gluten free lasagne is on its way 
  • They've re-launched their gluten-free line with an updated ingredient base


The Recipe


It's been raining a lot lately, with little to no pause for sunshine. So what better time to make a dish that both feeds and brightens up the soul?! This dish is so darn easy to make. I used ingredients that I regularly have on hand and made the creamiest penne. My house of picky eaters even asked for seconds!


Rainy Day Penne (makes 4 servings)

Ingredients

1 Package of Italpasta Gluten-Free Penne
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Garlic Paste
3 Eggs
2 Tablespoons Whipping Cream
1 Cup Finely Diced Green Onion
1 1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
2 (142g) Cans, Seasoned Shredded Turkey
3 Cups Broccoli Florets
1/3 Cup Reserved Pasta Water
Salt And Pepper 


Pasta

                                    


Directions
  1. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a rolling boil
  2. Boil pasta per package instructions (about 8-10mins)
  3. While pasta boils, Heat oil in non-stick pan over medium/high heat
  4. Add garlic paste to pan and stir. Remove from heat when lightly browned
  5. Drain turkey flakes, add to the pan of garlic and stir 
  6. In a separate bowl, Whisk together eggs, cream, and parmesan 
  7. Add broccoli florets to boiling pot of pasta with 4 minutes to go
  8. Strain cooked pasta/broccoli and set aside pasta water
  9. Gently add pasta to pan and set to low heat
  10. Cover  pasta with egg mixture and reserved pasta water
  11. Stir well to ensure egg mixture coats pasta and does not scramble
  12. Add salt and pepper to taste preference
  13. Remove from heat and top each bowl with green onion



WHAT YOU WILL LOVE ABOUT ITALPASTA

The pasta holds up very well, meaning it doesn't get mushy or fall apart. I really put the penne through the ringer with all of that stirring and it held up beautifully. 

It only takes minutes to cook, which is great because there never seems to be enough time in the day. By following the package directions, you are in for the most amazing al dente pasta ever. The noodles have a nice snap when bitten into, without being tough. I really could go on and on about how lovely Italpasta gluten-free pasta is! 


What is your favourite dish to prepare for #forGFpastalovers with Italpasta gluten-free pasta? 



*This is a sponsored post- Italpasta products and a nominal fee were provided in exchange for recipe development and posting

Wednesday

Save Money With Gluten Free Coupons


Gluten-free food is expensive. We all know that. It also doesn't help that most gluten free baked goods are best developed as mini versions of their gluten counterparts.This is where Gluten Free Coupons Canada comes in. I cannot begin to express how wonderful it is to see coupons for gluten-free products, available to Canadians! It's a big move forward seeing as most coupons, in general, are strictly available to our American friends.








Gluten Free Coupons Canada sends out two coupon mailings a year. All you need to do is sign up here and you will be added to the coupon mailing list. Once signed up, you will automatically be on the list for future coupon mailings. Pretty awesome, right? Well, it gets better! When used, each coupon provides financial support to the Canadian Celiac Association. It's a win-win situation.


I received coupons for a pretty good variety of items. Check out what I got in the mail, below.


  • Save $1.25 off any All But Gluten product
  • Save $3.00 on Butterball Turkey Burgers
  • Save $3.00 on the purchase of a Dempsters Bakery Gluten Zero product
  • Save $2.00 off any Mary's Organic Crackers product
  • Save $1.00 on purchase of any 1 box of Breton Popped! Beans, Breton Bean and Breton Gluten Free
  • Save $1.00 on any Catelli Gluten Free Pasta product
  • Save $1.00 on any one Enjoy Life product over $3.00
  • $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Chia Seed Loaf
  • $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Hamburger Buns
  • $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Seeded High Fibre Multigrain Bread
  • $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Seeded Wholegrain Sandwich Rolls
  • $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free English Muffins
  • $2.00 off Promise Gluten Free Raisin Bread
  • 50% off a 1-year subscription to Delight Gluten-Free Magazine





Overall, I feel that I received a great selection of coupons. While I have been a long time purchaser of most of the products, there were two which were new to me. These are the Butterball Turkey Burgers and the Breton products. I'm going to have to look for these on my next grocery run. It's a lot easier (and more exciting) to chance unknown territory and purchase a different product when you have a coupon for it! My favourite coupon would have to be the 50% off a 1- year subscription to Delight Gluten-Free Magazine!!! Holy crow that is an awesome deal and a big surprise!


Brands Which Are Part Of This Coupon Installment 


The coupons received will vary slightly, depending on where you live in Canada. Why? Well, some items are regionally based and thus not available across the country. The availability of particular coupons also depend  on  numerous other things, so please don't fret if you don't land a specific one.

Promise Gluten Free - Can I please recommend the  Double Chocolate Muffins?! If chocolate is not your thing, no worries. Promise Gluten Free offers a variety of gluten-free goods ranging from various breads, and rolls to muffins, english muffins, and even pancakes.

Catelli Gluten Free -  I'm already a huge fan of Catelli Gluten Free pasta! It cooks up perfect in under 10 minutes. It also reheats nicely, without falling apart.

Dempster's Gluten Zero - This gluten-free bread is available in both white and whole grain. One of a handful of gluten-free bread's, that I enjoy this product has a nice sweetness to it.

Breton Gluten Free - I have not tried this product yet. Various Cracker and Popped Bean snacks are available.

All But Gluten - Some really great products come from this company! My personal favourites include the Chocolate Snack Cakes, Chocolate Chip Granola Bars and the amazing white hamburger buns. You will not be disappointed.

Flamingo - This brand is based out of Quebec and offers up three of gluten-free  breaded chicken products: fillets, strips and burgers.

Enjoy Life -  Enjoy Life is one of my go-to favourite brands! They provide a large roster of items. All of which are wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish and shellfish free.

Mary's Organic Crackers -  I have tried the crackers which are lovely with a cheese spread. Did you know that you can also buy Cocoa MiNis, Chocolate Chip Cookies and Chipotle Tomato Pretzels from this company? I sure didn't and will now be on the look out for them.

Butterball - I had no idea until I got my coupon that Butterball sells gluten-free turkey burgers. Boxes are clearly labeled gluten-free and these lean burgers can be cooked either by skillet or bbq.

Nature's Path Organic - This brand offers many gluten-free options. They range from cereal and frozen waffles to crispy rice bars and superfood snack bars.

Pop Chips - These are a great alternative to potato chips. Pop Chips are not fried. Instead, they are heated in a pressurized chamber and then quickly released. This results in a POP.

Freybe - Freybe offers a wide range of meat products that are both lactose-free and gluten-free, with no liquid smoke or mechanically separated meat.

Summer Fresh -  Summer Fresh has over 25 gluten-free products available. This includes Tzatziki Dip, Artichoke & Asiago Dip Bruschetta, Crab & 4 Cheese Dip and Spinach & Artichoke Dip.

Grimm's Fine Foods - This company has a lot to offer gluten-free consumers. 
Products include Gluten-Free Tortillas, Smoked Turkey Breast, Black Forest Ham, Honey & Maple Flavour Ham, Pastrami and more!

SunRype -  SunRype provides gluten-free fruit and vegetable juices along with various 100% fruit snacks.

Piller's - This is a great choice. Piller's offer a wide array of gluten-free meat products through their Simply Free line.



Are you on the Gluten Free Coupons Canada mailing list? If you received your coupons, feel free to answer the following questions in the comments:




Which coupons did you receive?

Did you discover anything new?

Was there a particular coupon that was your favourite?

What brands/coupons would you like to see offered in future mailings?





****   This is a sponsored post. Although I have received compensation, my opinion is entirely my own.  ****


Sunday

Stuffed Tomato Boats With A Kick








The cold weather is here to stay, bringing with it the longing for comfort food. I have created the recipe below, as part of the Hidden Valley Gluten Free Challenge. These Stuffed Tomato Boats With A Kick, are a great addition to any meal. They are also a perfect little snack, which will warm you right up.




Ingredients


  • 1 boneless chicken breast
  • 4 Roma tomatoes, halved
  • 1/3 Cup Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch Dressing
  • 1 Tbsp gluten free apple butter BBQ sauce
  • 1/4 Cup crumbled, already cooked bacon
  • 1/4 Cup diced green onion
  • 1 Tsp Olive Oil
  • 1/2 Cup sour cream
  • 1/3 Cup grated, Marble cheese
  • Shredded lettuce to garnish

* Always read labels to ensure ingredients are gluten free



Directions


  1. Preheat oven to 350F.
  2. Heat 1 Tsp of Olive Oil in a pan, over medium heat. Add chicken to pan and cook each side for approximately 10 minutes. Chicken should no longer be pink. You can use a meat thermometer to ensure chicken has safely cooked to an internal temperature of 165F-170F.
  3. Let chicken rest for about 5 minutes.
  4. Place chicken in a bowl. Hold chicken steady with one fork and use another to pull or tear the chicken apart.
  5. Add Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch, gluten free apple butter BBQ sauce, crumbled bacon and green onion to the shredded chicken. Stir ingredients together until well incorporated. Set aside.
  6. Use a spoon to scoop out the pulp and juices of tomatoes. Fill tomatoes with chicken mixture and place on baking sheet.
  7. Add cheese to top of the now filled tomatoes
  8. Bake for 15 minutes. Tomato skins will be blistering slightly when done.
  9. When tomatoes are finished baking, top each with a spoonful of sour cream. Place shredded lettuce (as little or as much as you like) on top to complete dish and serve.



Hidden Valley Ranch Products and other promotional consideration were received in exchange for providing the above recipe as part of a submission in a contest sponsored by Hidden Valley Ranch.



Disclosure

This policy is valid from 23 February 2013

This is a personal blog written and edited by me. All opinions are that of my own. I am not a healthcare professional or an expert. All information presented in this blog is purely that of my own experience and or opinion. Please consult a medical professional before making any changes to your diet.

I write this blog as a hobby that I am passionate about. From time to time, I may receive monetary compensation for a sponsored post. I only work with brands that I trust and would use in my own home.

This blog accepts complimentary products for review. The opinions I have of a product will never be swayed by a company sending me an item(s) for free. I take into consideration the opinion of family members who are gluten-free due to Celiac Disease and I also value the opinions of non-gluten free family members. Taste is a matter of personal opinion so please use your own discretion and don't take my opinion as a gold standard.

Any ingredient or gluten-free claims should be verified with the restaurant/manufacturer as things can and do change.

For questions about this blog, please contact: sandra@glutenfreedoll.com

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