The week before New Year's is a time that I affectionately dub my "Week of Intention". Think pre-resolution warm-up. Free of as many distractions as possible I spend the few precious days before January 1 really planning out how I'm going to attack the upcoming year. Because we all know that resolutions without serious planning...well, there's a paved road leading somewhere warmer than Maui with all those.
So in honor of making some resolute resolutions this year, I'll be sharing some of my good intentions (and how I'm planning to accomplish them in the coming days).
To start things off, however, I'm offering up a guest blog by local eater, Aly Anderson of The Gluten Free Lab, a local gathering of saucy wheat-eschewers.
She's put together some great ideas for leaving behind gluten this year in a really local way. It's a subject that many of you have asked about, so read on...
Also, check out the recipe for Gluten Free Garam Masala Snickerdoodles from Aly that I recently made (and were instantly gobbled up). They are amazing.
So in honor of making some resolute resolutions this year, I'll be sharing some of my good intentions (and how I'm planning to accomplish them in the coming days). To start things off, however, I'm offering up a guest blog by local eater, Aly Anderson of The Gluten Free Lab, a local gathering of saucy wheat-eschewers.
She's put together some great ideas for leaving behind gluten this year in a really local way. It's a subject that many of you have asked about, so read on...
Also, check out the recipe for Gluten Free Garam Masala Snickerdoodles from Aly that I recently made (and were instantly gobbled up). They are amazing.
Going Gluten Free in Sonoma County
By Aly Anderson
So you've cut gluten out of your diet. Lots of people decide to do it
for lots of different reasons. Maybe your friends are doing it, too.
Maybe you have Celiac Disease, or maybe you're trying to avoid the
myriad symptoms that seem to come alongside the consumption of gluten
-- bloating, gas, diarrhea (Ew. Say no more.).
But at The Gluten-Free Lab, we believe you can keep living it up with just a couple of minor changes.
SIP
We're big fans of the evening cocktail, and our spirits have not been dampened by our somewhat limited options in spirits. Befriend your bartender and ask if there are any vodkas on the shelves distilled from potatoes (Chopin is one of our faves). Any vodka-based drinks -- even the schmancy ones that your favorite bar offers -- can be made using Chopin in place of the typical grain-distilled vodka. Or if you've got taste that runs south of the border, most tequilas and rums are safe to drink, just be sure your tequila is 100% agave. Other alcohols that are GF-friendly include wine, GF beer such as Redbridge or Green's, cider, port, sake, sherry, brandy and corn-mash bourbon.
SNACK
If you're feeling tipsy from the drink, there are a handful of Sonoma County eateries that offer delicious GF options. Rosso has a variety of salads that are GF friendly, but we usually forgo the greens in favor of a couple orders of their arborio rice-coated Fritto Misto. Then of course there's the Monti's - Willi's - Stark's family of restaurants, where you can safely order tapas-style plates from their GF menu (just ask your server for one -- no wink or secret handshake necessary). Or if your tastes take you into more substantial foods, try one of the several pizzerias in the area that are now serving GF pizza. The brand-new Jackson's Bar and Oven in Santa Rosa's Railroad square is serving remarkably convincing (i.e. delightfully doughy and spongy) GF pizza out of their wood fired oven. Or head out to Sebastopol to try The Gluten Free Lab's very own pizza crust at Pizzavino 707 on the plaza. This is a traditional Italian thin-crust-style pizza and the crackery crunch is a perfect compliment to Chef Andrew's expert assemblage of toppings. Even Mary's Pizza Shack is on the GF pizza bandwagon - check with your local shack to see if they're currently serving Still Riding Pizza's GF crust. If you're feeling like something a little quicker (and perhaps a little dirtier) head over to In-N-Out and order your favorite burger Protein Style, which replaces the bun with hand-leafed lettuce. Don't forget an order of fries, Well Done, on the side!
But if there's just one GF-dining takeaway, it's this: Don't be afraid to ask your favorite restaurant what you can order that's gluten free; this is a food movement, people, and most restaurants are more than happy to accommodate their GF diners, whether that means leaving off a sauce thickened with flour, substituting polenta for faro, or bringing you wheat-free tamari in place of soy sauce.
SHOP
For eating-in gluten-free style, Sonoma County has a wealth of knowledgeable grocers that do a great job stocking their shelves with popular GF goodies. The newest kid on the grocery store block is Sheltons Natural Foods Market in Healdsburg, where they have a surprisingly thorough collection of yummy GF products. Sheltons is a family-run store, and their dedication to their GF consumer makes us swoon; they've offered to order our fave GF products if they don't have it in stock! Similarly, the longtime West County staple, Andy's Produce Market, has an impressively large GF aisle with an ever-rotating selection of breads, baking mixes, snacks and sweets. The local Pacific Market and Oliver's Market both have an excellent head-start on carrying GF products, and even national chains like Safeway and Whole Foods have begun putting GF products on their shelves. Stock up on some of our favorites: Udi's whole grain bread, Pamela's cookies, and Glutino Lemon Wafers.
Editor's Note: The gals from Christine's Handmade Pies by Upper Crust Bakery in Marin brought by an amazing Gluten Free pumpkin pie that even hard-core wheaties thought was delish! You don't have to tell them its made with garbanzo bean flour... (fresh baked and frozen pies are available in SoCo at Pacific Market, FirCrest, Glen Elllen, Molsberry, Oliver's and Whole Foods).
Eating GF takes some work -- we remember what it felt like to be new at this lifestyle -- and if this all seems too much to remember, or if there's a special someone who needs to remember it, too, check out the pocket guide we developed. Just print, cut, fold, and stick it in your wallet or purse for a quick and easy reference.
For lots more gluten-free resources, local eats, recipes, and other goodies, peep our blog The Gluten Free Lab.
By Aly Anderson
So you've cut gluten out of your diet. Lots of people decide to do it
for lots of different reasons. Maybe your friends are doing it, too.
Maybe you have Celiac Disease, or maybe you're trying to avoid the
myriad symptoms that seem to come alongside the consumption of gluten
-- bloating, gas, diarrhea (Ew. Say no more.).But at The Gluten-Free Lab, we believe you can keep living it up with just a couple of minor changes.
SIP
We're big fans of the evening cocktail, and our spirits have not been dampened by our somewhat limited options in spirits. Befriend your bartender and ask if there are any vodkas on the shelves distilled from potatoes (Chopin is one of our faves). Any vodka-based drinks -- even the schmancy ones that your favorite bar offers -- can be made using Chopin in place of the typical grain-distilled vodka. Or if you've got taste that runs south of the border, most tequilas and rums are safe to drink, just be sure your tequila is 100% agave. Other alcohols that are GF-friendly include wine, GF beer such as Redbridge or Green's, cider, port, sake, sherry, brandy and corn-mash bourbon.
SNACK
If you're feeling tipsy from the drink, there are a handful of Sonoma County eateries that offer delicious GF options. Rosso has a variety of salads that are GF friendly, but we usually forgo the greens in favor of a couple orders of their arborio rice-coated Fritto Misto. Then of course there's the Monti's - Willi's - Stark's family of restaurants, where you can safely order tapas-style plates from their GF menu (just ask your server for one -- no wink or secret handshake necessary). Or if your tastes take you into more substantial foods, try one of the several pizzerias in the area that are now serving GF pizza. The brand-new Jackson's Bar and Oven in Santa Rosa's Railroad square is serving remarkably convincing (i.e. delightfully doughy and spongy) GF pizza out of their wood fired oven. Or head out to Sebastopol to try The Gluten Free Lab's very own pizza crust at Pizzavino 707 on the plaza. This is a traditional Italian thin-crust-style pizza and the crackery crunch is a perfect compliment to Chef Andrew's expert assemblage of toppings. Even Mary's Pizza Shack is on the GF pizza bandwagon - check with your local shack to see if they're currently serving Still Riding Pizza's GF crust. If you're feeling like something a little quicker (and perhaps a little dirtier) head over to In-N-Out and order your favorite burger Protein Style, which replaces the bun with hand-leafed lettuce. Don't forget an order of fries, Well Done, on the side!
But if there's just one GF-dining takeaway, it's this: Don't be afraid to ask your favorite restaurant what you can order that's gluten free; this is a food movement, people, and most restaurants are more than happy to accommodate their GF diners, whether that means leaving off a sauce thickened with flour, substituting polenta for faro, or bringing you wheat-free tamari in place of soy sauce.
SHOP
For eating-in gluten-free style, Sonoma County has a wealth of knowledgeable grocers that do a great job stocking their shelves with popular GF goodies. The newest kid on the grocery store block is Sheltons Natural Foods Market in Healdsburg, where they have a surprisingly thorough collection of yummy GF products. Sheltons is a family-run store, and their dedication to their GF consumer makes us swoon; they've offered to order our fave GF products if they don't have it in stock! Similarly, the longtime West County staple, Andy's Produce Market, has an impressively large GF aisle with an ever-rotating selection of breads, baking mixes, snacks and sweets. The local Pacific Market and Oliver's Market both have an excellent head-start on carrying GF products, and even national chains like Safeway and Whole Foods have begun putting GF products on their shelves. Stock up on some of our favorites: Udi's whole grain bread, Pamela's cookies, and Glutino Lemon Wafers.
Editor's Note: The gals from Christine's Handmade Pies by Upper Crust Bakery in Marin brought by an amazing Gluten Free pumpkin pie that even hard-core wheaties thought was delish! You don't have to tell them its made with garbanzo bean flour... (fresh baked and frozen pies are available in SoCo at Pacific Market, FirCrest, Glen Elllen, Molsberry, Oliver's and Whole Foods).
Eating GF takes some work -- we remember what it felt like to be new at this lifestyle -- and if this all seems too much to remember, or if there's a special someone who needs to remember it, too, check out the pocket guide we developed. Just print, cut, fold, and stick it in your wallet or purse for a quick and easy reference.
For lots more gluten-free resources, local eats, recipes, and other goodies, peep our blog The Gluten Free Lab.
All distilled alcohol is gluten free (vodka, whiskey, etc...). Even if it is made from grain the distillation process makes it okay for us. I've been Gluten Free (celiac Disease) almost 2 years and never have any problem with liquor.
Some ciders MAY have gluten, so you need to be careful..
Hope this helps!
FYI: PizzaVIno 707's menu says that they do not have a gluten free kitchen. Cross-contamination is a big issue. Just because an item on the menu is itself gluten-free doesn't mean it's safe. And as for In-N-Out, do they use the oil for cooking the fries for their onion rings? I do want to recommend Sea Thai for being really aware and having a daily list of GF dishes...and it's fabulous food.
Also, more mis-information. Corn mash bourbon only has to contain 50% corn to be labeled as such. There will still be some amount of either rye or barley in bourbons. But as "west county gluten free" points out, this shouldn't be a problem for GF living. Sorry, Heather, but this could be your worst post.
A frined of mine who knows that I have Celiac Disease sent me this link. It is great that are more options now than when I was diagnosed three years ago. I used to go to restuarants and ask about GF options and they would look at me as if I was speaking a different language. There is still a lot of misunderstanding about what is and is not GF. It is a constant process of education - even for those of us who live it every day. Also, though I thank the "trend" for raising awareness and increasing options, I also caution that even a small amount of gluten (that can come from contact in the preparation process or a single non-GF ingredient) can make someone with Celiac very sick! So for all of you who want to "try it on for size" - I say great! But, I sure hope that eaterys who do this understand the potential consequences of gluten contamination when selling "GF" food.
This is a much needed blog and I'm happy you're starting it. But please don't start out with misinformation.
From http://www.coeliac.org.uk/
What alcohol can I drink?
Cider, wine, sherry, spirits, port and liqueurs are gluten-free.
All spirit drinks, including those which have a cereal which contains gluten used as an ingredient, go through a process called distillation. Distillation removes any trace of gluten, so the end product is gluten-free.
Therefore all spirit drinks including malt whisky which is made from barley are gluten-free and suitable for people with coeliac disease.
All beer, lagers, stouts and ales contain gluten and are therefore not suitable for a gluten-free diet.
Specially manufactured gluten-free beers are available and are listed in our Food and Drink Directory.
I'm sorry, but you're incorrect. Distilled spirits do not contain gluten.
http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2005/12/lets-celebrate_31.html
Hey fixitguy, I don't wish any ill-harm to you, but if you had to feel the pain and distress that the gas, bloating etc that Celiac's experience, CAUSED BY THE GLUTEN, you would be more understanding. Yes, overeating can give some these issues, but to one with Celiac's or a wheat allergy, gluten can be a death sentence. I'm grateful to all the people that have created gluten-free foods and for those that make them available locally. I'm also thankful to those that share their finds with the rest of the community. Thank you all.
At one time people thought women shouldn't have the right to vote, and blacks should be used as slaves, too.
Newsflash: 'This country's' current strain of wheat has been genetically modified to the point that it makes many people sick. Here is some info from the NIH (National Institute of Health) on this particular type of sickness, commonly referred to as Celiac Disease, which, yes, you can die from.
http://www.celiac.nih.gov/
Yes, unfortunately you've been duped by a subsidized industry into thinking wheat is good for you. It's mainly good for someone's else's pocketbook. There are a lot of things like that in 'this country'.
Happy awareness!
How could you leave out the delicious breads and cookies from Grindstone Bakery in Santa Rosa. Mario makes some delicious gluten free and wheat free yummies! even for people who don;t need to kick gluten.
Even though the distilling process removes most gluten in alcohol, there are still trace elements that effect many people that have Celiac Sprue. Most bourbons (except corn mash), vodka (other than potato or beet) and gin should be avoided. I was diagnosed over 30yrs. ago and things are a lot easier and more convenient now. Everyone benefits by going gluten free. It lowers your cholesterol and many other health benefits for all. A good source of information is the Celiac Sprue Society.
For someone writing an article on GF foods it is amazing how much misinformation you packed into one article. Distilled Spirits have no gluten. As far GF at Mary's anyone with celiacs or gluten sensitivity should not even walk in the flour soaked air of Mary's. Thanks for the heads-up on the restaurants however. Five years ago people thought you had emotional problems if you were gluten free. If it's baked in a kitchen that bakes wheat it's not gluten free.
Dang! That's amazing. Love Amy's. Actually eat their frozen meals pretty religiously. Just didn't happen to come up, so thanks for reminding us!
I find it hard to believe that when you mentioned local GF items you didn't say something about local organic food producer Amy's Kitchen. I'm on a GF food plan and have lost 95 lbs in about 9 months and Amy's was a godsend..
Don't fret. I'll never question my wheaty ways, but I think its great to have options if you're looking for a change of diet...or do happen to be among those unfortunates who get bowel distention from your baguette.
Oh my God. The staff of life is now being questioned. Gluten does not cause bloting, gas etc.... Overeating does. For the people who are sensitive thats different. Once again Bread Is The Staff Of Life. (well maybe not in this county)
gluten in triple distilled vodka? LOL
We have wheat free/gluten free Coconut Macaroons made by David Levya in Sonoma. In addition we have many soups, sauces and culinary items that are vegan too!
Tres Bonitas!!! Love the SoCo beauty shot! Healthy, humble, honest and eager to please...oh, and gluten free. This trendy enemy, from what I understand, can be an annoying issue for many unaware consumers. I surely will experiment in 2010 with a gluten free diet, maybe 2 or 3 weeks...check my energy level and skin health during trial period. Steaming burdock root...gotta go.