Saturday

Ottawa Senators To Host Celiac Disease Awareness Night


The Canadian Celiac  Association has teamed up with the Ottawa Senators to host a Celiac Awareness night


 When I received an email from the Canadian Celiac Association (CCA) advising of this event, I was thrilled! As a Celiac and a hockey fan, this is a double win. I have emailed an inquiry as to whether or not there will be any Celiac safe food at the event and will post an update once a response is received.


     When:
     Saturday, March 4th 2017

     Where:
     The Canadian Tire Centre
     1000 Palladium Drive Ottawa, 
       Ontario K2V 1A5



       How to purchase tickets:

Please visit this page to ensure that part of your ticket price will be donated to the CCA. 

You NEED to use the promo code CELIAC when you complete checkout.
Not a hockey fan, but know someone who is? Senators tickets make a great Christmas or birthday gift! Plus you will also be helping fellow Celiac's - A portion of ticket proceeds will support important awareness, research, and restaurant training programs. All brought to you by the CCA.                  
 

For more information, kindly email cca.communications@celiac.ca with your inquiry.


Monday

Review: Uncle Steve’s Italian Specialties




We enjoy a lot of pasta in my home. It's a simple, quick and cost-effective meal. You can't beat the versatility of it - a comforting hot dish in the winter, and a refreshing salad in the summer. Seriously, you've got to appreciate that.


When I was offered the chance to review some gluten-free pasta sauces, I jumped at the opportunity. I'm always eager to try new products and I love sharing reviews with you guys! So what am I reviewing today?


Uncle Steve’s Italian Specialties- Marinara, Tomato Basil, and Arribiata.



Trio of Uncle Steve's Italian Specialties



Who Is Uncle Steve?


Uncle Steve aka Steve Schirripa is an Actor, Host, and NYT Best Selling Author. The name sounds familiar, right? You probably know him from Sopranos fame and you can see him currently on Blue Bloods. Full disclosure - I haven't seen either of these shows.

Information About the Sauces


Made with imported Italian organic tomatoes
Gluten Free 
Non-GMO 
Kosher Certified
Dairy Free
Vegan
Paleo Approved
No Added Sugar

How did the Sauces do?


I made a separate meal for each sauce.

  • Tomato Basil Sauce: Vegetarian Penne Rigate
  • Marinara Sauce: Chicken & Rice Stuffed Tomatoes 
  • Arrabiata Sauce: Spicey Meatball Subs

 All 3 sauces smell spectacular!


The Tomato Basil Sauce is thinner than what I'm accustomed to.That being said, the sauce packs some vibrantly impressive flavour. It's nicely tart and slightly sweet, without being too sweet. Overall, I could get used to the delicateness of this sauce as it turns what could be a heavy pasta dish, into lighter fare. Really tasty!
The Arrabiata Sauce is for fans of heat. In fact, "spicy" is very clearly displayed on the label. If you're not a fan of spicy foods, I can't really recommend this particular sauce to you. If you do enjoy some fire in your life, you will appreciate the kick of spice and zest. It has a nice bite that is not at all overpowering, but it does linger on the tongue. I'd like to try this with nachos in the future.
The Marinara Sauce is conveniently versatile! While I used it to fancy up my stuffed tomatoes, the dish ideas are endless. If I had an Italian Nona, this is what she would make. The presence of fresh tomatoes is abundant in the flavour. I love how rich in flavour and hearty this sauce is! I plan on baking some cheese smothered chicken with it in the future.



Where To Find Uncle Steve's Specialties


Fellow Canadians, you can purchase Uncle Steve's products online and they can be shipped anywhere.

For my American friends, the sauces are available in stores across the US. You can find it in major supermarkets such as Whole Foods, Albertsons, Stop and Shop, Shop Rite, health food stores, and mom and pop shops. Plus, you can shop online through Uncle Steve's website through the above link as well.



Visit Uncle Steve's website to learn more. You can also keep up to date by following  along on Twitter @StevenSchirripa @UncleStevesNY 


Disclosure - Samples of the product were provided to me free of charge for review purposes. All opinions are my own.

Thursday

Reporting Gluten-Free Issues In Canada

Gluten-Free Standards



In Canada, a gluten-free manufacturer is expected to ensure that no gluten containing grains are present as an ingredient and that all ingredients used in the manufacture of a gluten-free product are indeed gluten-free and have not been cross contaminated in any way. Meaning gluten-free equals gluten-free. Not maybe, or almost, but entirely gluten-free.


What Can You Report?


  • Foods containing gluten, being sold as gluten-free 
  • An adverse reaction you've had following the consumption of gluten-free food
  • Restaurants/bakeries which market gluten containing items as gluten-free
  • Food falsely advertised in print as gluten-free

How To Report Your Concerns


Please report your concerns to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). They are responsible for enforcing the labelling regulations that are set by Health Canada. Once they have your complaint, they will investigate further. 

Contact your local CFIA regional office or call the following toll-free number 1-800-442-2342.

You can also use this online form to report your food safety or labelling concern.


What Will Happen


When you make a complaint, the CFIA will open a case file and launch a food safety investigation. A representative from the agency will contact you and may visit your home. A home visit is necessary for retrieval of leftover food in question. A sample will then be sent to a lab to be analysed. They may also visit the store which you purchased the item in question at to collect more samples.

You will be asked for 



  • Brand Name Of Product 
  • Size, Universal Product Code (UPC), Best Before Date 
  • Name and Address Of The Store where product Was Purchased At 
  • Purchase Date(s) 
  • Home Address (ensures your inquiry reaches the correct CFIA regional office) 
  • Daytime Phone Number so an inspector can reach you


Please keep any remaining product as a sample may be needed for investigation

You're Making A Difference


Speaking up and voicing your concerns is priceless. I cannot stress enough how important this is. Every complaint is taken seriously and thoroughly investigated.

 Thanks to our help, the CFIA is able to:

- Issue Food Recalls
- Implement Label Updates
- Provide Allergen Safety Alerts
- Prevent Companies From Engaging In Misleading Advertising
- Notify Manufactures About Allergen Protocol



Did you know that you can sign up for food recall warnings via email? There's also a handy web application  which you can download free of charge, to stay up to date as well.

Friday

Review: Love with Food Subscription Box


Gluten-free snacks are my weakness. Anything that can fit into my purse or jacket pocket is on my radar. Always. It's part of Celiac survival and a necessary habit. No one wants to be in a situation where they're hungry and safe gluten-free food is simply not available. I've been there a couple of times and it's a fun thief, that's for sure. Although finding safe snacks to carry with me is fairly easy, it's a struggle to find snacks that are not always, well, junk food.


Canada is now part of the Love with Food party


I'm so very happy to share with you that Love with Food has expanded internationally and now ships to over 25 countries. That's right, Canadians can order their very own Love with Food snack subscription box! This is a great way to explore mostly American goodies and brands previously unavailable in the Canadian market. Items curated are not only gluten-free but organic or all-natural, with no artificial junk! Yay for snacking without guilt!




Canadian's can choose from 2 subscription boxes


  • The Deluxe Box, a sampling of 16-20 new surprise snacks starting at $16.50 USD/month,


  • The Gluten-Free Box, a sampling of 10-12 surprise celiac-safe and mostly dairy-free snacks starting at $19.99 USD/month.

If you purchase a subscription through my link, I will receive a small compensation and you will get your very first Love with Food by G-Free Foodie Gluten-Free Box at 25% off. Thank's for supporting Gluten-Free Doll and allowing me to share my gluten-free adventures with you!



Each box comes with a pamphlet that details the items featured for the month. Social media information for the included brands is highlighted as well. I really like this idea! Plus, you will also find a few surprise coupons! Pretty awesome, right?

 My Thoughts



  • They really pack in as many goodies as they possibly can
  • Not only is the curated food on the healthier side, it's extremely flavorful as well
  • A monthly subscription is a time-saving way to enjoy hard to find gluten-free treats without the hassle of store hopping
  • It's a great way to enjoy Celiac safe snacks minus the guilt since everything selected is on the healthier side
  • It won't break the bank. That's right, there are no hidden costs and you can cancel at any time. For me personally, that's pretty comforting because we all have different tastes and expectations
  • You get to sample an ever-changing selection of great products without a big commitment 
  • Variety - there is an array of snacks
  • Travel-friendly, great for car rides, camping and all sorts of adventures away from home


I loved everything in the box, but I certainly do have my favourites. The Luna Protein Berry Greek Yogurt Bar (soo good, guys!) and Pure Growth Organic Popcorn (totally addicting!) were a fantastic change from what I am used to snacking on. 


As someone who travels from time to time, it's important for me to bring along "just in case, safe snacks" so it's pretty convenient that the Love with Food subscription box is full of shelf-stable food. Everything I received is travel-friendly and the only item that requires even minimal effort is the Sorghum Pilaf. It's literally as simple as boiling a pot of water.


lovewithfood

Love with Food gives back


On top of curating ah-mazing gluten-free snacks, Love with Food is a company that gives back. For each box purchased Love With Food will spread goodness by donating a portion of the proceeds to Canadian food banks to help fight world hunger. How great is that?! It gets better - with every American box subscription, a donation is made to American food banks. It warms my heart to see a company giving back to those who need it most. I cannot say enough wonderful things about Love with Food's passion for helping those in need by providing them with a meal.




* Love with Food  provided me with a subscription box to review. As always, all opinions are my own.*


Recipe : Strawberry Summer Trifle

Have you ever made something on a whim, just to see how it turns out? That's what I did yesterday! I made Strawberry Trifles. The whole process felt like a science experiment as I wasn't quite sure what I was doing really. But hey, the dessert turned out splendid! I've even had requests from my family to make more.

This recipe is fantastic for a Summer dessert as zero heat is required. It's creamy, refreshing, light and just a little bit of indulgence. Plus, cleanup is also a breeze! 


Want The Recipe?

Keep scrolling :)




You Will Need


  • 1 box of Jell-O Instant Vanilla Pudding & Pie Filling
  • 2 1/2 Cup Cold Milk
  • 1 1/2 Cup Whipping Cream
  • 2 Tbsp Sugar
  • 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
  • Strawberries
  • 5 Cookies, Crumbled

Instructions

This recipe makes 5-6 portions

To Make Whipped Cream


Combine 1 1/2 Cup Whipping Cream,2 Tbsp Sugar & 1 Tsp Vanilla Extract in a large bowl. Stir enough to gently marry everything. That's it for now, but ensuring everything is cold is super important. Next, put the beaters from a hand mixer in the bowl and cover with saran wrap.
Place bowl, in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Once chilled, beat with hand mixer until stiff peaks form. To see what this looks like, have a look at my recipe for Easy Black Forrest Cake .


Vanilla Pudding


Now, you will need to prepare the Jell-O Instant Pudding. This is super simple. Just follow the directions on the box. It's literally combining the mix with milk and allowing it to set for a few moments.


Strawberries

Wash and slice up the strawberries any way you like. I personally prefer to cut them into quarters.

The Cookies

Store bought cookies will do just fine here. I had some homemade ones on hand so that is what I used. You don't need to smash the cookies to dust or anything like that. We're going for a chunky crumble. Place cookies in a big Ziplock bag and crush. A rolling pin or even your hands will work just fine.


Some Assembly Required


  1. Place a layer of the cookie crumble on the bottom of dish or dishes
  2. Next, add some of the pudding 
  3. Place a layer of cut strawberries on top of pudding
  4. Top with our homemade whipped cream
  5. Repeat steps 2,3 &4
  6. Finish with a final layer of pudding
  7. Spoon a dollop of whipped cream on top
  8. Place a halved strawberry on the whipped cream
  9. Let chill in fridge for one hour

What is your favourite Summer dessert?!


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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