Everybody Has Something To Sell

Why is it that Gluten Free is such a phony baloney money maker? Who decided that Gluten Free shall be trendy? I'm surprised I haven't seen an infomercial that claims to  hold the cure yet. Every day I am blown away by what is out there and it's just getting worse. I wish that people would STOP CASHING IN ON CELIAC DISEASE. 


The other day I read an article on a reputable mom site that was all about hidden gluten. I should have stopped right away when the person who wrote the article mentioned the Wheatbelly author. Apparently I have too much faith in people as I continued on. The article closed with a Ryan Seacrest cavalierness about going Gluten Free for even just 16 days. The kicker was the direct link at the at the bottom of the page,which led to the author's website. That website hocks a Gluten Free Renewal Cleanse for the low low price of $89.00. 

What gives? Why is Celiac the disease to exploit? 

Product Review: Dempster's GlutenZero Bread

When you see the new Depmster's GlutenZero bread in the grocery store, you may think that it's just another Gluten Free bread on the market and pass it by. Well, it is most definitely not your average Gluten Free bread and it wows in several ways!

I was a little skeptical the first time I held a package of Dempster's GlutenZero. Lets be honest, it's small and sorta feels like a dense banana loaf when you pick it up. On the bright side, this just goes to show that we should never judge before we taste! I nibbled on a piece before deciding what to do with it and I don't recall plain bread ever tasting or smelling so good!


Dempster's GlutenZero may be small, but it is mighty! It is available in both Whole Grain and White bread for about $5.99 per loaf. I spent some time having fun with both varieties. I made everything from grilled cheese sandwiches and plain old toast to a hearty BLT sandwich and yummy french toast.

As far as texture goes, this bread hits a home run. Not only does it hold together while eating a sandwich (take that, crumbly breads!), it doesn't leave that all-too-common, sand-lodged-in-throat feeling. There is something different about this bread. Perhaps, it's the use of Tapioca Starch which helps the bread stay soft without becoming gummy in texture. It's great to finally have a light weight, Gluten Free bread that does not disintegrate upon touch!



I love that this is a non-frozen bread and it can last (resealed, of course) at room temperature  for about 5 days. Not a common thing in the Gluten Free world. No more waiting for a slice of bread to defrost!

Another highlight is that the bread is produced in a Canadian, dedicated gluten free, facility. Dempster's has also gone the extra step of becoming part of the Canadian Celiac Association's Gluten Free Certification Program. It's great to see more and more manufacturers get on board with this program. It certainly makes me feel safe and like a valued consumer.




*Disclosure -  This is a sponsored post and I received compensation for it. My opinions are my own. I only work with brands that I trust and would use in my own home. 

Catelli Gluten Free Pasta Giveaway

How would you guys like to win a year’s supply of Catelli Gluten Free pasta?

That's right, an entire year's worth of delicious gluten free pasta! All you have to do is follow the Rafflecopter instructions below and the chance is yours.

Haven't had a chance to try the new Catelli Gluten Free pasta yet? Check out my review.

While your waiting for the winner to be announced, grab a Catelli Gluten Free pasta coupon here while supplies last.

Good luck! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product Review: Catelli Gluten Free Pasta

Catelli recently sent me a box of their new Gluten Free pasta to see what I thought of it. It is produced in a dedicated gluten free facility and certified by the Canadian Celiac Association. In my opinion, any company that goes the extra mile to have their Gluten Free product certified by the CCA, is one that truly has Celiac consumers on it's mind.

*All opinions are my own and I have not been financially compensated in any way.

I can happily tell you that hubby, who is super critical of anything Gluten Free and our 5 year old grilled cheese and pizza pocket lover really enjoyed the pasta right along with me. 

Catelli is a great example of just how far we have come with Gluten Free pasta. It cooks in under 9 minutes and stays nice and al dente. It does't fall apart in the water, nor is it mushy on the plate. This pasta will not disappoint even the most harsh critic in the family.

I love preparing pasta for my family just as much as they enjoy eating it. It's one of those staples that  is great to have in the pantry when you want a no fuss meal. But it can also be so much more than that! The only limit is personal creativity and time. To save on time, I try to have a few vegetables in the fridge that are pre cut and ready to go. Add sauce and you are all set.

While supplies last, you can grab a coupon for $1.00 off of any Catelli Gluten Free pasta product here

With American Thanksgiving soon upon us, the Catelli recipe below is sure to be a quick and easy hit for those who are celebrating.

Festive Fusilli Stuffing

Create a new holiday tradition by serving this stuffing-inspired pasta dish alongside your roast turkey and trimmings.

 Prep Time: 25 min                                                   

Serving: 8 to 10 (makes about 7 cups/1.75 L)

 Ingredients:

2 tbsp (30 mL) each butter and olive oil

1 large cooking onion, chopped

1 cup (250 mL) each chopped celery and grated carrot

3 tbsp (45 mL) finely chopped fresh sage leaves

1 tbsp (15 mL) each finely chopped fresh rosemary and thyme leaves

1/2 tsp (2 mL) each salt and pepper

1 1/4 cups (300 mL) chicken or vegetable broth

3/4 cup (175 mL) dried cranberries

1 pkg (340 g) Catelli Gluten Free Fusilli

1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh parsley leaves

 1.      Heat butter and oil in a nonstick skillet set over medium heat. Add onion, celery, carrot, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper. Sauté for 8 minutes or until softened and fragrant. Stir in broth and cranberries; simmer for 8 minutes.

 2.      Meanwhile, cook fusilli in a large pot of boiling salted water for 7 minutes. Drain well; transfer fusilli to a large bowl. Add the skillet mixture and parsley; toss well to coat. Transfer to a serving bowl and serve immediately.

 Tips:

·        This stuffing can be served any time of year along-side roast chicken, pork or pan-fried fish.

·        For a vegan stuffing, use all olive oil and vegetable broth. 

·        Make the stuffing up to 1 day ahead. Transfer the fusilli to a casserole dish. Drizzle with a little extra broth and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes. 

 Per serving (about 3/4 cup/175 mL): 213 calories, 6 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 6 mg cholesterol, 226 mg sodium, 38 g carbohydrates, 2 g fibre, 7 g sugars, 3 g protein.

The Broken Road To Awareness

Why is Celiac Disease so misunderstood? Why is there so much varying information? Why can't we all be on the same page? Why? Why? Why?

Celiac is the only disease that I can think of, where the people who are diagnosed don't even really understand it, let alone the Doctor's diagnosing it.  We are sort of left to figure it out on our own, resulting in widespread misconceptions, wrong choices, inaccurate media coverage and best of all, the pain of accidental Glutening.


Uneducated Doctors : 
If the front line is not in order, how can we expect those who have Celiac Disease to fully understand their condition? Most family Doctors have minimal knowledge about Celiac. Many of them neglect to do the proper testing and suggest that their patients try a Gluten Free diet to see how it makes them feel. In the long run, they are only adding to the misconceptions. Due to the lax in proper diagnosis, some are just assuming that they have Celiac, when in fact they don't. Others face numerous hurdles in getting an accurate diagnosis.

Another issue is with the lack of Celiac Disease specialists. People who live near a facility such as the Chicago Center for Celiac Disease research luck out. But those of us who are nowhere near a research facility, often get put on the back burner unless we fiercely advocate for proper testing and the answers to go along with it.

Not enough awareness:  Celiac Disease awareness seems to be  IS severely lacking. Due to it being virtually non existent, people usually assume that eating Gluten Free is a choice and they do not associate it with a real disease. Both those who have Celiac and those who don't are not usually fully aware how serious this autoimmune disease is. Many people are too embarrassed to speak up and make sure food is Gluten Free, some admit that they "cheat" once in a while and others just don't know where to start. 

Resources are also limited. The support and information available to those who are newly diagnosed varies substantially from City to Province to Country. Celiac is a confusing and overwhelming disease to be diagnosed with. Many people are told they have the disease and then sent on their way with no formal education about it.

Fear mongers :  
There is a never ending flood of people with personal agendas. Weather they are out to make money, or to spread misinformation in hopes of roping people into their way on thinking (anti GMO, No Grains ect.) there are many who use Celiac as a platform to preach non related issues.

Greed: 
This one touches all facets of Celiac Disease. Gluten Free food does not need to be as overpriced as it is. Period. We have come a long way and it is clearly a highly profitable market. But we are still gouged at the grocery store. Why? Because we have no choice, we are chained to the medical need for Gluten Free.

Big companies want to sell us books on how to live and eat Gluten Free.  Many individuals have started websites to offer "helpful" information to those with Celiac Disease, but unfortunately you have to pay a fee to reap the so called benefits. Also, the information which is being sold, is widely available for FREE.

Scams and the people who buy into them:
I'm not even going to list the various companies that make this list,but I will tell you what to be vigilant against. There are MANY magic pills out there, offering a way to prevent damage after eating Gluten. Some even offer a downright cure. These are SCAMS!!! First of all, if and when a cure or remedy becomes available, it will be international news. You will hear about it from those who research Celiac Disease as well as awareness organizations such as the National Foundation For Celiac Awareness, Canadian Celiac Association and Coeliac UK . Also, after a medical breakthrough, it will be years before any type of medication reaches the market. I can guarantee you won't be able to obtain it without a proper prescription either. 


Media : Can we not get some legitimate air time? Everyone from local news stations to Dr Oz has something to say about Gluten Free. The problem is that the rare time that they mention Celiac Disease, they do so in passing, like it's not the real issue. I tend to cringe when I see a news report about "Gluten Free". The newscasters never seem to educate themselves about what they are discussing and the so called specialist is usually someone who has no real background or education in Celiac Disease. Do we discuss MS or Parkinson's with a Podiatrist? No. Contrary to what one may think, not all Doctors are created equal. This is why they specialize in specific areas of health.

The question I am left with is, how can WE as a Celiac public, band together and create the necessary and accurate awareness that is vacant from our communities?

Cheese Steak Hoagie

With the cold and wet weather here to stay, a warm and hearty meal is what we are all in need of this time of year. I used Udi's hot dog buns (sent to me by Udi's as part of their Fall Comfort Giveaway) and created my own little cheese steak hoagie.

Boy, was this a family crowd pleaser!

Want to make your own? Follow the simple steps below:

Ingredients

4 Udi's hot dog buns
Quick Fry Steak cut into thin strips
1/2 White Onion
1/2 Green Pepper
3 Mushrooms
1 tsp Steak Spice
Mozzarella Cheese cut into cubes
Gluten Free smokey BBQ sauce

*Cut vegetables as thin or thick as you like 
*Use as much or as little cheese and BBQ sauce as you desire

Directions

Cook steak on medium heat until lightly browned. Add steak spice. Then add mushrooms, onion and pepper.Remove from heat and add cheese to the skillet.

Place a layer of cheese on the bottom of the bun. Then add skillet mix of steak,cheese and vegetables. Drizzle some BBQ sauce on the top and enjoy!

Udi's French Toast Sticks With Cranberry Apple Compote

Here is the first recipe that I have come up with using the Udi's products that were sent to me. I hope that you find it as warm and comforting as my family does. Two awesome things about this recipe are that the components can be eaten together or separately and can be easily frozen for a quick bite when you are in a rush.

French Toast Sticks With Cranberry Apple Compote

Ingredients

French Toast Sticks
4 slices of Udi's Whole Grain Bread
2  large eggs
1/4 cup milk
1 tsp ground cinnamon

Cranberry Apple Compote
2 small apples
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/4 cup canned cranberries
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tbsp margarine
1 tbsp cornstarch


Directions

French Toast Sticks
Slice bread into four equal rectangles.
Whisk together eggs, milk and cinnamon.
Preheat a non stick pan on medium heat with margarine or butter.
Soak bread slices in the egg mixture, turning once and making sure they are completely coated. When bread is no longer firm to the touch it is ready to be removed.
Add bread sticks, a few at a time to pan and cook until all four sides are slightly toasted.


Cranberry Apple Compote
Peel and chop apples into small cubes and place in a pot.
Add lemon juice, cranberries, brown sugar, cinnamon, and margarine then mix with wooden spoon on med/low heat.
Once juices start seeping from the apples, mix cornstarch with enough cold water to make a paste and add to mixture while stirring.
Leave on heat for several minutes, stirring occasionally until mixture is thick and apples are no longer crunchy.


Head over to the Udi's Fall Comfort Giveaway on my blog for a chance to win $150.00 CDN worth of amazing products from Udi's!

Udi's Fall Comfort Giveaway

According to a recent survey commissioned by Udi's, 4.3 million Canadians are saying goodbye to Gluten. People are choosing to eliminate Gluten for various reasons ranging from Celiac Disease and Gluten Intolerance or because it helps to alleviate other medical conditions that thrive with a Gluten Free substitution such as Autism or MS. A lot of people are making the switch a family affair to show support for relatives who must adhere to this way of life.

Eating Gluten Free doesn't have to be boring and tasteless. To prove that, I will be participating in a "Fall Comfort" food challenge hosted by Udi's. They have supplied me with the same items that YOU COULD WIN!

In the next few weeks I will be showcasing various recipes that I have come up with using the items that I have received from Udi's . Are you excited to see what I come up with? I am!

Udi's has offered a prize pack valued at $150.00 Canadian, to one of my lucky readers. The prize pack includes plenty of Gluten Free items to make your Fall a little more comforting, plus a cutting board, Udi's lunch box and a cozy throw to keep you warm.

Udi's Prize Pack

You can find Udi's products at most major retailers including Sobeys, Metro, and Real Canadian Superstore. Don't forget to check your local health food shop as well.

Visit Udi's website to see their product range or to view some tasty recipes.You can follow them on Twitter Facebook and Pinterest as well.

Enter to win this Udi's prize by following the Rafflecopter instructions below.

Good Luck! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Empower A Newly Diagnosed Celiac

Below is in my personal opinion, what every newly diagnosed Celiac needs deserves to have at their fingertips.  



The Canadian Celiac Association's Pocket Dictionary. At
$9.95 for non-members it's a bargain. Per the CSA - "This pocket-sized dictionary was developed to help people with Celiac disease and gluten sensitivity to select acceptable foods and understand food ingredients so that they may avoid foods containing gluten. It provides a brief description of each item along with an assessment of its acceptability for the gluten-free diet."

A Grocery store tour

How priceless would this be?! A tour around your favourite grocery store with someone who specializes in not only Celiac Disease, but nutrition. This would be a great help in showing newbies where to find safe staples AND what fruits and veggies they should be stocking up on now that they will be lacking some serious nutrients in GF food. I know I'm dreaming here but,it would be a great way to get Celiac's shopping at certain retailers. Just putting it out there...

An informative book on Celiac Disease such as "Real Life with Celiac Disease" by Melinda Dennis and Daniel Leffler. This is  a great book for those who are unfamiliar with Celiac or want to educate themselves further.

A Gluten Free care package

Check out a free basket that the University of Chicago Celiac Disease Center offers the newly diagnosed. This is a great way to set people up for success as it contains many essential items that will help alleviate the overwhelming feeling of uncertainty that most of us feel upon diagnosis.

Gluten Free cookbooks

You can find these almost anywhere that sells books now. Pretty awesome! One of my favorites happens to be the DK Gluten-Free Cookbook. Check out my tips for finding a cookbook full of recipes that will work for you here.

A Support group

While there are many of them out there, it is worth investigating to find one that is suitable. Support groups can range from in person gatherings to "pages" on Facebook. Take this with a grain of salt as they only offer the support that members are willing to put into it and can often be a pool of misinformation at times. Rest assured that there are indeed legitimate and helpful groups out there. I suggest starting with either the NFCA or CSA to find a local group or page that is helpful.

Product Review: Barilla Gluten Free Pasta

Some exciting news in the world of pasta - Barilla is introducing a line of Gluten Free pasta! It's made with non GMO corn and rice in a dedicated Gluten Free facility. With four varieties to choose from (spaghetti, penne, rotini and elbows) the meal possibilities are endless. I was happy to learn that this pasta was created with Celiac's in mind and not just for the diet hungry fadsters. The wonderful folks at Barilla kindly sent me some pasta to sample.

When I first opened the box of spaghetti, I noticed the colour right away. It is just like "regular" spaghetti, not gritty or gray like some of the other brands that I have tried. The instructions on the box are very simple and to the point. Ten - eleven minutes in boiling water while stirring occasionally. 

My family and I really enjoyed the spaghetti. It has the texture that I remember (pre Celiac diagnosis) growing up with and it tastes great. The only items that I added to the pasta were tomato sauce and frozen peas. Sometimes simple really does pay off. It was a great meal that paired nicely with an Udis bun doubling as garlic bread.

Not sure what to make? Check out Barilla's  recipe page for some inspiration.
As for the price point of 2.79- $3.29, no complaint's there.

Barilla Gluten Free pasta is in the process of hitting stores. Expect to see it widely available by the end of 2013.

If you have had the chance to try Barilla Gluten Free pasta, let me know what you think.

Blame Gluten....When It's At Fault

Sometimes people make me laugh, shake my head and then wonder.There seem to be a lot of folks out there who blame Gluten for just about everything. I have seen enough silly statements to draw a comparison to an old Country music joke. No offence to anyone who enjoys Country music ;)

Lets remember that misinformation spreads like wildfire. Celiac is not contagious but stupidity and ignorance seem to be. Believe it or not, many of the points below have been wildly debated about in Celiac forums. I certainly do not blame the newly diagnosed - it's a learning curve. There just seems to be so many people that add fuel to the fire by constantly spreading falsehoods about this complex and misunderstood disease. Heck, most Doctor's don't even correctly understand.

• Celiac Disease is not responsible for your fear of heights
• The dog did not do it's business inside to protest your Gluten Free ways
• A mosquito landing on a piece of regular bread and then biting you, will not make you ill. Unless it's some West Nile Virus kinda thing.
• Meat from a cow that enjoys wheat will not cause a Celiac reaction.
• The scent of the bakery section at your grocery store is not making you ill. That's called anxiety and you are making yourself sick by fearing a reaction.

All jokes aside, the problem with blaming Gluten/Celiac for everything is quite serious and could be detrimental to ones overall health. As no two Celiac's are alike, it is up to us to understand our reaction(s) to Gluten. By blindly condemning Gluten when it is not the real culprit, we risk further harm by not seeking medical attention when necessary.

Chapters Introduces Stonewall Kitchen Baking Mixes Online

Chapters now carries select Stonewall Kitchen Gluten Free baking mixes online. 

I tried the Cinnamon Sugar Doughnut Mix and it worked beautifully in my mini doughnut maker. Can't wait to try the rest of the line! Just make sure you are clicking on the GF items when ordering as there are some non GF items as well.

 

Gluten Free Not By Choice

life-style

plural life·styles

[count] : a particular way of living : the way a person lives or a group of people live 
▪ She envied the lavish lifestyles of wealthy people. ▪ Eating right and exercising are essential to having/leading/living a healthy lifestyle.


I'm really beginning to wish that we could go back in time and have someone coin a new term for those of us who eat Gluten Free out of medical necessity. Seeing the words diet or lifestyle next to Gluten Free really cranks my gears. It often implies choice. Something someone with a dietary restriction does not have.

I guess I just feel that Celiac Disease needs to be separated from the mainstream. Put in the forefront if you will. If someone wants to eat Gluten Free by choice that's a-okay. However, I would like that to get less hype. Celiac/Intolerance needs to be the star of the show here. No one ever confuses people watching their sugar intake to lose weight with Diabetics. Nor does anyone ever say that they maintain a shellfish free lifestyle. 

Many people see me eating something that is Gluten Free and feel the need to mention that they "tried" it (Gluten Free) once and just couldn't handle the restriction. Talk about a pet peeve. I wish people understood how silly they sound. Yes, it's frustrating gibberish that I can roll off of my back. But the hard part is the shear lack of education out there about Celiac Disease. Sometimes I think that the blissfully ignorant are worse to deal with than the disease itself.

Tim Hortons Gluten Free Macaroons - Review

With all the talk of American franchise Dunkin Donuts offering an array of pre packaged Gluten Free goodies, you can imagine my delight when out of nowhere Canada's beloved Timmy's surprised us with Gluten Free coconut macaroons! Totally unexpected AWESOMENESS right?!

Yes, I have a sweet tooth ;)






Let's talk about why I am loving this yummy treat -

• Tim Horton's rolled this product out the right way - with Celiac customers in mind. A first of it's kind in Canada.
• It is certified Gluten Free through the Canadian Celiac Association's Gluten Free Certification Program and that is no easy feat. They have very strict policies that keep Celiac health a number one priority.Check my photo above for the seal of approval.

• Price point is $1.29 for a pack of two macaroons. That alone says that Tim Hortons cares as they are not attempting to nickel and dime us like most companies who venture into the Gluten Free world.

• Each package is individually wrapped and prepared off site in a dedicated facility.

I would not  consider myself a coconut fan but I really enjoyed the texture and flavour of this sweet little meringue style confection! The added bonus of a chocolate drizzle is just enough without going overboard. If you are not normally a sweets person, this is most likely not a product for you. 

They are small enough to fit in a purse or a small lunch bag while being packed full of flavour. Makes for an easy to take "just in case" snack for those adventurous moments where something Gluten Free may not be easily accessible.

It's a great product for a treat and by treat I mean something that is consumed in moderation. Yeah, it's quite sweet so lets go there for a nano second - This is a snack. It is by no means meant to be healthy. Does anyone honestly walk into a donut shop and expect health food? I think not. So with that being said I applaud Tim Hortons efforts to create a Gluten Free item on their menu.

We now have an option on the road. Seeing as there is a Tim Hortons on nearly every block and every major highway exit in Canada, finding these babies should be easy peasy. We drove to Florida last year and a certified option like this would have been a welcome convenience! I can imagine the joy of Celiac cottage goers as well. 

The website states that the Gluten Free macaroons are available for "a limited time" which is kind of disappointing. But I understand that they probably want to see how well it is received before they make any long term decisions regarding it. I for one am hoping that this product does well. If it does, perhaps we could see Gluten Free prepackaged muffins and donuts in our future.

Thank you Tim Hortons for being Celiac friendly!



*Disclosure : I was sent a free sample of Tim Hortons Gluten Free Macaroons. My opinion is that of my own and was in no way affected.

Easy Eats For A Gluten Free Trip

With Summer finally here, that means a lot of us will be going on little getaways. Driving, flying or just spending the day away from home, it's always best to have a safe food plan. Below is a list of my favourite items for on the go and the best part (aside from taste) is that they do NOT require heating or cooling. How's that for simplistic awesome?!

Enjoy Life Mountain Mambo is a tasty seed and fruit mix that comes in a resealable pouch. I love this product and buy it regularly! It's the perfect trail mix with it's lovely balance of sweet and salty. There is also just enough chocolate to fill that sugar craving while maintaining it's healthiness.

GoPicnic Ready To Eat Meals

I stumbled across these by accident when we drove to Walt Disney World last October. What a genius idea - they really are a picnic meal in a box. The Turkey Pepperoni & Cheese was my absolute favorite!

Bummer note - currently not available in Canada. Will have to stock up next time I'm in the States!

LARABAR Fruit and Nut Bars are a very convenient travel item. The Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough bar is one of my favourites - it really is like eating cookie dough! There are 19 different kinds of bars, 9 of which are available in Canada. 

Enjoy Life Crunchy Cookies

These cookies offer the right amount of sweetness and the perfect snap of crunch. I buy them in individual packages of two at my local Bulk Barn. The large boxes are great for home, but the smaller double packs are perfect for on the go. Each of the 4 flavours gets a star in my book!

Do YOU Have Any Gluten Free Pet Peeves?

10 The use of the word Celiacs. Celiac is derived from the Greek word koiliakos, which means abdominal. Not trying to be the word police, but hey lets get the name of our lifelong special feature right ;)

9 Crazy people who think that I should only eat 100% healthy because I am Gluten Free. Don't try to unjunk my GF junk food and I promise that I will only eat it in moderation, along with my fruits and veggies.

8 The assumption that GF is healthy for EVERYONE. *bangs head on desk*

7 When people say that they wish that they had my willpower so that they could lose weight. *Facepalm*

6 Restaurants with GF options but no formal training on how to keep them that way

5 The smart ass who decided that everything Gluten Free shall be the same price as a brick of gold

4 People who get bent out of shape at the mention of, or hope for a Celiac Disease cure.There is always a risk for product recalls due to mislabelling or CC. I would rather at least be able to take something to prevent serious damage after a mishap than not.

3 Diet and Gluten Free in the same sentence. So very, very wrong and misleading. Ever hear of anyone on the Nut Free Diet or taking up a Shellfish Free Lifestyle? Nope.

2 People who only discuss Gluten Free in the media to make money off of a book or product which they are selling. These people also never advocate for Celiac Awareness. I'm looking at you Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Gwyneth Paltrow.

1 When someone says that they are supposed to eat Gluten Free due to Celiac or an intolerance, then openly admit that they do not stick to the regime 100%. You are part of the problem, not the solution. Buck up or shut up.

Stuttering John's - Gluten Free Review

A little while ago hubby told me about Stuttering John's and asked if I would like to have dinner there. I have to admit that I was skeptical at first for a couple of reasons. One being that I have an extremely hard time trusting the Gluten Freeness of a place I've never been to before and two, the location of the restaurant is in the heart of downtown Oshawa which usually isn't my first choice for an outing.

Putting both issues aside, we ended up going to Stuttering John's for dinner. 

I'm

Glad

We 

Did!

Once inside the restaurant, the grunginess of downtown Shwa disappears. I shouldn't be so harsh. There IS a lot of greatness in the area... unfortunately it can become muddled with the not so greatness that comes along with any downtown area. With more places like this, Oshawa's downtown will be a great place for an outing. The GM Centre is in walking distance if you're in the mood for a sporting event or even a concert. Generals games are always exciting!

 Not only is the atmosphere inside Stuttering John's warm and inviting, it feels like you're just hanging out at a friend's. Cheesy sounding I know, but it's so true! The restaurant is set up with a variety of booths, bar seating and a lounge inspired area with couches and armchairs.They even utilize the beautiful artwork of a local artist.

The food was such a change from the norm for me. It was out of this world. I had the Smokin Brisket. Minus the bun as they did not have any GF ones at the time. As you can see from the first photo, portions are generous! The meat was tender, juicy and FULL of flavour!

We  went back a second time for dinner recently and I was informed that they have Gluten Free buns! I chose to enjoy something that I haven't been able to order in years - Smoken Clubhouse. I had the same side salad with Raspberry Vinaigrette. The Gluten Free buns are sourced from Cocoa and Joe's in Oshawa and Oh Em Gee were they ever wonderful! I'm sad that I did not have my camera with me for this meal because it was just as awesome as the first time around.

• Service is friendly and fast
• They do Gluten Free right
• It's a great place for the whole family to chow down
• Prices are super affordable
• They have evening entertainment ranging from Comedy Night to Live Music and Karaoke
• Variety on the kids menu
• Relaxed atmosphere
• They air playoff games on big tvs... GO LEAFS GO!

One thing that would make my meal here complete - Gluten Free Dessert. Nothing like an ooey gooey brownie after dinner. *Hint Hint* ;)

Visit Stuttering John's website

Like them on Facebook and

Follow them on Twitter

Something super cool to think about- Stuttering John's was contacted by the folks at Food Networks You Gotta Eat Here. Help make sure that they are chosen for the show by emailing: ygeh.tips@gmail.com

*As always when dining out, please verify with your server that your dietary needs can and will be accommodated.