Join us in voting for your favorite gluten-free products! We’re happy to announce that voting is now open in our third annual Best of Gluten-Free Awards.

These awards provide recognition and thanks to the best gluten-free products on the market and let the manufacturers know how much we,the gluten-free, celiac community, appreciate their efforts.

You can vote in more than 40 categories ranging from Best Gluten-Free Sandwich Bread to Best Gluten-Free Cookbook. Last year just shy of 10,000 of you voted for your favorite products.

This being Triumph Dining, we’re sweetening the deal. Participation earns you a chance to win prizes including Kindle Fires and Triumph Dining European Dining Cards.

Voting is open through March 31, 2013. The winners s receive a trophy, bragging rights and a Best of Gluten-Free Awards Logo to use with their marketing materials.

Vote by clicking here. See the 2012 winners by clicking here.

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about a case at Lesley University where students gained huge ground in the crusade for gluten-free eating options. From their petitions, the students found legal support and coverage under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This case set a precedent in which Celiacs and the gluten sensitive can gain coverage. To summarize, if you are dependent upon the food served at a public institution(such as with a required student meal plan or even in jail), the gluten intolerant have food rights to ensure Click to continue reading »

Have you tried any of Amy’s gluten-free products yet? They have quite the selection! From Mac & Cheese to Burritos to Indian Meals to Chocolate Cake, Amy’s offer more than 70 organic, gluten-free versions of some popular dishes.

All of the products Amy’s offer can simply be heated up and enjoyed.

Their ready meal selection includes ‘Bowls’ such as Mexican Casserole and Mushroom Risotto, Enchiladas, Indian Dishes, Burgers, Pizzas, Stir Fry’s and Light & Lean options.

As well as their popular ready meals, Amy’s also do jars of gluten-free pasta sauce and salsa along with a wide variety of canned beans Click to continue reading »

Triumph Dining is excited to be appearing at a bunch of fantastic gluten-free events this year, including these Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Events, hosted by ECHO Event Solutions.

These events are happening in Atlanta, GA; Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC; and New Orleans, LA. Each event is open to the community, and caters to those who avoid multiple allergens, such as gluten, dairy, soy and nuts. Sampling of gluten-free/allergen-free foods starts Click to continue reading »

Steamykitchen.com

One of my former favorite gluten-filled foods was angel hair pasta. There was nothing like swirling my fork around a plate, raveling a mess of pasta drenched in sauce and cheese and scooping it all into my mouth. While there are some great gluten-free pasta options available (the corn pasta is probably my favorite!), I feel I’ve had to sacrifice in the spaghetti/angel hair department. The structure of the corn pasta just doesn’t have the same effect on longer strands, so while tubular gluten-free ziti is delicious, the eating experience just isn’t the same.

Recently, however, I began experimenting with the use of spaghetti squash as a “pasta” substitute. Spaghetti squash is a type of winter Click to continue reading »

Fancy baking a whole bunch of tasty gluten-free goodies without the hassle of figuring out the recipe for yourself? You may want to check out XO Baking Company. They’ve already figured out what tastes great and now you can make it at home!

XO Baking Co. mixes include both sweet and savory goods. All of them are simple to make and the results are delicious!

For something savory they have All Purpose Flour, Banana Bread Mix, Corn Bread Mix, Pumpkin Bread Mix, Zucchini Bread Mix and Pancake & Waffle Mix.

For something a little sweeter check out their Oatmeal Cookie Mix, Gingerbread Cookie Mix, Pound Click to continue reading »

As I’ve admitted on this blog before, while I love my smart phone, I don’t always put it to good use. I have about three apps, two of which are solitaire and the other is often left untouched. But this latest app I heard about might just deserve top ticketing on my phone – a gluten-free grocery app!

Two sisters in Canada are working to develop an app that will help Celiac’s around the world. The team started their product development after one woman’s 13 year old son was diagnosed with both diabetes and Celiac disease. Overwhelmed by the grocery store and list of “safe” vs. “unsafe” food, the women decided to take action to help others.

The app would allow users to scan a list of ingredients on any given packaged food item to determine whether or not it was safe for gluten-free eating. The app would be particularly useful to shoppers who want to avoid the over-hyped “gluten-free” labels that more and more companies are using as a means to increase advertising revenue and hike up pricing.

Though I think the app is a great idea, I am still wary about cross contamination risks. Those “gluten-free” labels are there to ensure that there is absolutely no risk of gluten sneaking in the product. Unfortunately I’ve found out the hard way that even if an ingredient list appears gluten-free, that’s not always the case.

The women are still developing the app, which could do a lot to help new gluten-free eaters explore the world of food beyond gluten-free specialty items. The app is set to be released in May. For more information, check out their website, http://www.indiegogo.com/projects/glutenguru-app?c=home to support their efforts!

The symptoms of celiac disease differ from person to person, which is one of the reasons it can be so difficult to diagnose in the first place. Some celiacs suffer from terrible gastrointestinal symptoms, others psychological symptoms and some, no symptoms at all. Now, what if your nationality were a factor in the type of symptoms you suffer? Recent research suggests it’s possible.

Researchers in Iran compared the symptoms of celiacs in Iran, Romania and Italy and found variations between the three. This study worked with 323 women and 127 men, all confirmed celiac by endoscopy, small bowel biopsy and positive serology. The study was published in the Archives of Iranian Medicine this month.

The study suggested that upper abdominal symptoms were most common with the European patients whilst Click to continue reading »

At the Gluten & Allergen Free expo in San Francisco last weekend, we spotted lots of kids wearing great gluten-free and allergen-free wristbands. Some of them were so fun and colorful that I’m thinking of getting one for myself!

As adults suffering from serious allergies and intolerances we are usually able to convey our dietary needs to other people – but what about children who don’t have the vocabulary to explain these things? Getting your child one of these wristbands or bracelets is a great way of getting across the severity of an allergy to family, Click to continue reading »

When you’re gluten free, spices are one of those ingredients you need to watch out for. Similar to colorings, flavorings and emulsifiers, spices and spice blends can also be a hidden source of gluten.

Lucky for those of us who have to be 100% gluten-free, there are a few great gluten-free spice brands out there. Today we want to share news of a fantastic new one we recently discovered!

Opa Helmut’s Rub is a family business which makes a wide variety of German spice blends, all of which are full of flavor and completely gluten-free. Their spices are all natural, without preservatives and manufactured in a gluten, nut and lactose-free facility!

Some of the great flavors they have to offer include Original, Rustic, Burger Mix, Herb Garden, Barbecue and Karneval. Whether you’re a meat eater or a Vegetarian, you’ll find something to make your favorite dishes even Click to continue reading »