It's Not Every Day I'm Quoted in MSNBC!

Picture from http://www.northstarseafood.com/

I was quoted in A second chance for faulty food? FDA calls it 'reconditioning', by MSNBC reporter JoNel Aleccia.

JoNel was a pleasure to speak with.  We discussed a process many are not familiar with - "reconditioning."

Reconditioning is a process whereby products currently NOT in compliance, are brought into compliance.  This applies to ANY FDA regulated product, can be cosmetics, foods, medical devices, dietary supplements, etc.

The story came up when JoNel was investigating moldy applesauce.  No one wants to think the foods they consume are not safe, who can blame us!

Betty Lou's Just Great Stuff, Yes, it's Gluten Free!

Every time I go into a health food store, I look for gluten free products I have not yet tried. I want to know what's out there, especially if it's good!  I picked up a "Just Great Stuff" bar - Strawberry Acai flavor -- how could I go wrong??  I love both!

I have to admit, it is Just Great Stuff.

 

Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough You'll LOVE

It's true. It exists. It's even frozen. I swear. I wouldn't lie about something so important. I've been searching the GLOBE for delicious chocolate chip cookies. I've found good ones. Nothing like my pre-Celiac days. That would be a difficult, if not impossible feat. Well... Keep reading!

Garden Lites, Healthy & Delicious?

Garden Lites does it all. You can taste the fresh ingredients used.  Their tag line says it all:

I'm by no means a fan of healthy cuisine. It has to taste good!  Chocolate on the other hand, I'll never discriminate against.  It takes a lot for me to eat some veges.  One would typically think something frozen, especially a vege souffle, just can't be good.

Healthy? Oh yes it is. Check out the nutrient facts and see for yourself!

The Grill on the Alley, Aventura Mall

The Grill on the Alley, has 6 locations.  I went to the latest location, in Aventura, Florida, which to my pleasant surprise, has a special gluten free menu to cater to us Celiacs!  Check out the lunch menu here:

Busy People Have to Eat Too: Fast & Easy Dinner Recipes for Gluten-Free Diets

Excited to present guest blogger, Melissa Cornine of Blog Content Guild providing insight on Fast & Easy Dinner Recipes!  Let me know what you think!

It doesn’t matter how much work you have to do or errands you have to run, there are only 24 hours in any given day.  You have a job to go to, kids to chauffeur, dry-cleaning to pick-up, an unpredictable cable guy to meet, calls to answer, emails to return AND you are supposed to provide a healthy meal free of gluten at the end of every day?  Feeling overwhelmed yet?  Stop stressing. Easy dinner recipes can help you get things under control—at least in the dinner department.  

Long Island, New York, A Great Place for Celiac's

For Celiac's traveling is daunting. You always wonder if you'll be able to go out to eat, how accommodating and knowledgeable the restaurants will be, and we're always scared of cross contamination - as we should be! Doing research in advance of travel is always important. I personally like the http://glutenfreeregistry.com/ and who doesn't just google?! What was really refreshing when I traveled to Long Island, was the complete awareness and pleasure to accommodate. It seemed commonplace that all Italian restaurants had gluten free pasta, knew to cook it separately, and knew which of the sauces they used were gluten free. I was in heaven!

Glutino Pizza Crust - Yum, Yum, Yum

Glutino makes a wide variety of gluten free products, including gluten free baking mixes, frozen meals, snacks, breads, bagels and even donuts!!  I was excited to try their gluten free pizza crust.  I've found making my own pizza is always much better than heating up a frozen pizza - this was no different.  Glutino's pizza crust was great.  

This One's For You!

You may have noticed I've been MIA... It's been for a good reason, I wouldn't just leave my gluten free folk hanging!  I've decided to share, in part, because I need to -- and I think it may help others as a result.

My heart's been aching with sadness, I've just lost my first and oh so beloved Chuckie.  This is hands down one of the toughest losses I've gone through.

To call him a dog hardly seems to do him justice, though inasmuch as he had four legs, a tail, and barked, I admit he was, to all outward appearances. But to those who knew him well, he was a perfect gentleman. Hermione Gingold

Islamorada, A Slice of Heaven

There's nothing like getting away and heading to Islamorada.  Its a slice of heaven, the ocean and bay is gorgeous to stare at, the people are wonderful and warm, everything is pet friendly (I love traveling with Chuckie - the best dog ever!), and best of all the restaurants are SO gluten free accommodating (must be because the people are so nice)!!

I always think were spoiled on Miami Beach to have Lincoln Road, with blocks and blocks of restaurants and the ability to eat outside (under umbrellas of course) year round (with either fans or heaters, should it be 90 or below 60 degrees).  Yes, were spoiled!  But, Islamorada has a whole new degree of spoiled, here, the restaurants are unassuming, until you go to the back, many are on the water, and this particular restaurant, Lorelei Cabana Bar, had beach front service.  There was sand on the floor and gorgeous bay views, and such a low key atmosphere.