MILK AND WHEAT ALLERGY ALERT
April 7, 2010
McCormick & Company, Incorporated is recalling “McCormick Fajitas Seasoning Mix” due to undeclared milk and wheat. The product was distributed in grocery stores nationally. The product is in 1.12-oz. pouches labeled with UPC Code 5210002121 and “BEST BY” dates of JAN 16 12 AH and JAN 16 12 CH. The package contains the wrong product. Consumers may call (800) 632-5847 with questions or to request a replacement or full refund.
Many of us know that the hardest part of living gluten-free is getting others to understand what you do, why you do it, and how to help you.
The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) and Pamela’s Products have joined together to produce the first ever Gluten-Free Challenge, to help us do just that.
This is not a call to get everyone to start living gluten-free, but to get people to learn about the gluten-free diet and to understand those who do need to eat gluten-free.
May 22nd and 23rd will be the Challenge days. Get your friends and family to join you in being COMPLETELY gluten-free for those 2 days. Some people might think they could never do it. But it’s really not that hard. (I can almost guarantee that when my sister-in-law, Melissa, reads this, she will say “well, that’s simple.” She’s cooked gluten-free for me many many times.)
To make it even easier, for the month leading up to the Challenge, you will receive a recipe of the day and tip of the day, so that when time for the Challenge, everyone will be ready.
If that’s not enough of an incentive to get you to sign up, how about product giveaways? I know you like those. There will be drawings for free Pamela’s products throughout the month leading up to the challenge. The drawings are only open to people who sign up early. (Correction – Upon further reading, I think there are drawings for those who sign up early, and then regular drawings, too.) So sign up now! You have to have a US address to win, but anyone can take the Challenge.
I’m going to tell all of my friends and family, to help them understand how I live. Will you?
WHEAT ALLERGY ALERT
April 2, 2010
Zatarain is recalling “Zatarain’s New Orleans Style Dirty Rice Mix” due to undeclared wheat.
The product was distributed through grocery stores in Florida, Michigan, and Virginia beginning February 15, 2010.
The 8-oz. package bears the UPC 7142909535 and a “BEST BY” date of JAN 19 12H.
Consumers may contact the company at (877) 837-3796 for a replacement or a full refund.
Yesterday, a friend joined me in my quest for a cleaner house. I’m throwing together a last-minute birthday party for Braden tomorrow (since we’ve been so crazy busy lately) at my house. Of course, since I had an extra guinea pig, I decided to test out a new (to me) mix from Mixes From The Heartland.
The Spicy Potato Soup only requires 7 cups of milk and about 30-40 minutes on the stove.
I burnt mine on the bottom, but I didn’t confirm that until I emptied the pot. If you, like me, cannot cook milk-based foods on the stove without burning them (Mommy, Mommy, Mommy), then don’t scrape the bottom when you stir. 
I tested a tiny bit of soup on my finger. Then I told Andy we were having potato soup.
I may have left off the word spicy.
Teeheehee.
Andy took a big spoonful and splurted out a “holy crap!!”. Um, yeah, that soup is spicy hot!
Chauncey and I tried adding some shredded cheese. It didn’t help much. I had some leftover baked potatoes in the fridge, so we cut up a half of a medium-sized baked potato each and added that to our soup. Only then did we feel we were capable of eating it.
Don’t get me wrong, it was an extremely tasty soup. We really liked it. We just had to drink a lot with it. If you have a weak constitution when it comes to spice heat, then this soup is not for you. But if you like to walk on the wild side, then definitely give this soup a try.
Ginger over at Gluten-Free in Georgia (and Florida) wrote about (and reprinted) this disturbing article about gluten-free food trends. I’m going to let you visit her and read about it there, along with her snarky comments (which I quite enjoy, by the way).
I do want to share this little tidbit with you from the article:
“This is a house of cards just waiting to fall,” she said. “It’s a medical diet, right? It’s hard to stick to.”
Seriously? Just because some people choose not to stick with it correctly, doesn’t mean all people are like that. It’s not like we’re eating gluten-free because we want to look better in the mirror, and then give up when it annoys us. Grrr.
I’ve always known that Boar’s Head had some gluten-free meats and cheeses, but I’m not sure I realized that ALL of their meats and cheeses AND condiments were gluten-free.
But they are, and always have been.
Boar’s Head has recently published a brochure about being gluten-free with Boar’s Head. I was a bit surprised – it’s got a lot of good well-rounded information in it (not just all about meats and cheeses).
It also includes gf tips for getting deli meats and cheeses cut, and some tasty-looking recipes. I’m rather intrigued by the Apple Spice Cupcakes recipe that uses the Boar’s Head Brown Sugar & Spice Ham Glaze.
You can find this brochure at supermarkets and delis where Boar’s Head is sold, or view and print online.
Congratulations to Aileen (chosen by random.org), you are the winner of the $25 gift card to P.F. Chang’s to try out the new gluten-free menu!
We were all a bit put out when Starbucks did away with their Valencia Orange Cake.
To make up for it, they gave us the KIND bar, which is good, but is not anything exciting. I guess they’re still trying to make up for it, but adding some more gf products.
One of those recent additions is Lucy’s Cookies. A friend of mine, who is a manager at a local Starbucks, brought me some samples to try.
At first bite, I wasn’t sure about the Sugar Cookie. There was something a little different about it. Then I figured it out… oats! You can taste the oats (gluten-free ones, of course), but it takes a moment to figure it out.
The cookies are very crisp and airy, and covered in sugar. After that first cookie, I decided I really like these. They have a unique oatmeal/sugar cookie flavor, that I find endearing. Plus, 4 cookies only have 1.5 grams of fat (and 16 grams of sugar; 25 grams total carbs, but 2 of those are fiber).
I am enjoying the last of the box, all by myself, while Carter and Charlie play outside in the beautiful sunshine and Corice and Sarah are upstairs, supposedly napping.
In case you didn’t see my tweet on Saturday, P.F. Chang’s launched a new gluten-free menu today.
A representative from P.F. Chang’s came to the North Texas Gluten Intolerance Group’s meeting, and brought a ton of lettuce wraps for us.
I love Chang’s lettuce wraps.
Well, if you’ve always gotten the same thing(s), now you can try something new. There are now BEEF entrees for the first time, and a total of 28 dishes on the gluten-free menu.
I haven’t had a chance to try any of the new dishes yet, but I love the Singapore Street Noodles and the Chocolate Dome. I just had some on my birthday last month (and I even used chopsticks for my whole plate of noodles, well, my half of the plate, anyways).
So, if you would like a chance to practice your chopstick skills (or even your fork skills), I’ve got a $25 gift card for P.F. Chang’s (provided by Dig Communications) for one lucky winner. Leave me a comment about your favorite P.F. Chang’s or other Chinese food dish. This giveaway will end at 9:00 pm central, on Wednesday, March 17, 2010.
Read on for the press release and new gf menu from P.F. Chang’s.
P.F. CHANG’S CHINA BISTRO LAUNCHES EXPANDED GLUTEN FREE MENU
Enhanced Offering Includes 5 New Beef Entrees and a Total of 28 Dishes
Scottsdale, AZ. (March 8, 2010) – P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (NASDAQ: PFCB) announced today a newly expanded Gluten Free Menu, featuring beef entrees for the first time. Gluten intolerant diners can now enjoy a wider range of dining options, from P.F. Chang’s signature Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Mongolian Beef to a Flourless Chocolate Dome for dessert.
“More and more of our guests are asking for gluten free options and we’re proud to offer them a greater variety of P.F. Chang’s classics,” said Gregg Piazzi, Director of Culinary Training for P.F. Chang’s China Bistro. “P.F. Chang’s is sensitive to all of the food allergies and dining requirements of our guests and we strive to serve customized cuisine that meets each diner’s individual needs.”
P.F. Chang’s upholds a rigorous gluten free cooking process to ensure the dietary safety of guests with celiac disease. The restaurant’s staff takes all the necessary measures of precaution during the preparation and serving of gluten free dishes.
The newly expanded Gluten Free Menu features the following items:
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Starter:
GF Chang’s Chicken Lettuce Wraps – $7.95
Soup:
GF Egg Drop Soup Cup – $2.95/Bowl – $5.95
Noodles:
GF Singapore Street Noodles – $9.95
Rice:
GF P.F. Chang’s Fried Rice – $7.95/Combo – $9.95
Vegetarian:
GF Buddha’s Feast – $7.50
Sides:
GF Spinach Stir-Fried with Garlic
GF Garlic Snap Peas
GF Shanghai Cucumbers
Small: $2.95/Large: $4.95
Dessert:
GF Flourless Chocolate Dome – $5.95
Lunch Bowls:
GF Buddha’s Feast – $7.25
GF Shrimp with Lobster Sauce – $8.95
GF Moo Goo Gai Pan – $8.95
GF Beef with Broccoli – $8.95
GF Pepper Steak – $8.95
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc.
P.F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. owns and operates two restaurant concepts in the Asian niche. P.F. Chang’s China Bistro features a blend of high-quality, Chinese-inspired cuisine and American hospitality in a sophisticated, contemporary bistro setting. Pei Wei Asian Diner offers a modest menu of freshly prepared Asian cuisine in a relaxed, warm environment offering attentive counter service and take-out flexibility.
It’s that time again… another candy-filled holiday is on its way. For those of us with food issues, the few weeks before the holiday is the time for checking the labels in the stores.
In those few rare moments that I’ve been in the store by myself and not in a hurry, I have looked at some of the candy labels. And this year, I am finding “wheat” on quite a few labels that I’ve not seen before.
Remember that just because one type of candy is gluten-free in it’s normal form, that does not mean it will be in all forms. For instance, at Easter, Reese’s makes little egg-shaped candies that contain wheat flour.
So take the time now, while there’s still a good selection at the stores, and check the labels. If you are prepared, you are less likely to get hurt or terribly annoyed.
In other (somewhat opposite) news, I just have to brag on myself a little bit: since November, I have lost 9 pounds. But what is even better, is that I can now work really hard in an hour-long Zumba class AND play a hard hour of racquetball. My game’s getting better, too.
Have you been able to make some healthier changes to your life lately? If I could just give up this Easter candy corn I bought, and the chocolate, I might really make some headway.
