Reflections on the Gluten and Allergen Free Wellness Event in Atlanta

This week, I celebrate my gluten-free anniversary.  It was in May of 2007 when I entered into a life of gluten freedom, a journey from which I have never looked back.

Earlier this month, I had the privilege to attend the GFAF Wellness Event in Atlanta. I say privilege because I am also humbled by the companies that dedicate themselves to making product for gluten-free and allergy sensitive people. 

What I found at the expo was interesting -- I would say that maybe half the vendors were from Metro Atlanta. I remember the first expo I attended in 2008 -- there were impressive vendors from all over the U.S.. but the number of locally made products was small.

Not anymore. It's amazing the types of product you can purchase in a storefront in Metro Atlanta. And they're good products at that. I remember when no bakery made a gluten-free cupcake.  Now.....  

Look at the folks lining up for samples....

I found a couple of tasty new (to me) products at the event. 

• I am enchanted by Frannie's Gluten Free Muffins, zucchini muffins -- one of my favorite flavors.  And owner Frannie designed her own packaging. She also has a sweet and very proud Mom. One of the things I liked was her packaging -- she wraps her muffins individually, which keeps them fresher and cross-contamination free.

• Jules Dowler Shepard, a good buddy from past expos and Twitter, was also appealing to the crowd, selling her flour from her Jules Gluten Free  site.  Her product line really is great for the newly gluten free. Her afternoon demo was sponsored by Earth Balance -- who also provided some fine vegan butter-tasting popcorn!

BTW, Earth Balance^®  Vegan Buttery Sticks have been nominated for Vegetarian Times’ 2013 Foodie Awards in the category of Butter + Butter Alternatives. Polls are open until May 31, so vote now—and spread the word!

• Always a gluten-free pacesetter, Marilyn Santulli from American Gra-Frutti was serving cookies made with her new Cassava flour. Look for a future recipe here using this flour.
Her new product line, Marilyn's Artisan Crackers, which includes my favorites, the cheese dots and the graham crackers.

• PASCHA Chocolate (check out their divine website)  is about to launch its chocolate into the gf world. I tasted the 66 percent chocolate -- it was a very dense, delicious bite of chocolate. I would buy this product. 

If you missed this expo, there are events in the future as well: 

Raleigh/Durham, NC ~ August 17, 2013 ~ Durham Convention Center 10 am - 4 pm
Baton Rouge, LA ~ November 2, 2013 ~ The Cook Hotel & Conference Center at LSU10 am - 4 pm

So with that, I'd like to encourage you to support vendors who support you in your being gluten free. I think they appreciate us!

• Against The Grain Gourmet

• American Gra-Frutti

• Bakery On Main

• Blue Diamond

• Blue Ribbon Foods

• Camp Weekaneatit

• Cheenies

• Crunchies Food

• Delight Gluten Free Magazine

• Earth Balance

• Eat Perfect Foods

• Edward & Sons

• El's Kitchen

• Enjoy Life Foods

• Europa Sports

• FARE

• Food Allergy Kids of Atlanta

• Frannie's Gluten Free

• FreeCuisine.com

• Front Porch Sweets

• Full Flavor Foods

• Gluten Free Cutie

• Gluten-Free PA

• Glutino

• Graw Foods

• Happy Family Brand

• I'm A Celiac

• Juice Plus

• Jules Gluten Free

• Kinnikinnick

• Living Without Magazine

• Luce's Gluten Free Artisan Bread

• Mama Bakes Safe Cakes

• Mina's Purely Divine

• Moon Rabbit Foods

• Namaste Foods

• Noah's Pantry

• NuSkin

• PASCHA Chocolate

• Penta Water

• Pure Knead

• Reliv International

• Sally's Gluten Free Bakery

• Simply Gluten Free Magazine

• Smooze

• Sugar & Spice Market

• Surf Sweets

• Taste of Gluten Free

• Triumph Dining

• Udi's Gluten Free Foods

• Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint

• Virtuous Living

• Wayfare

 

Much love, and many thanks!

Ging

A few cool recipes from a cool new cookbook No Bake Makery

A few weeks ago I received this delightful little cookbook called "No Bake Makery," which was release just this week.  It is filled with lovely no-bake desserts, many of which are gluten free.  I also thought a lot of the recipes were easy to adapt to gluten free.

Want a copy of your very own?  Keep reading!

The publisher was kind enough to give me permission to publish two recipes that gluten free and might be perfect for the upcoming Spring and Summer holidays.Here are some details:

What's the easiest way to make delicious and adorable desserts? Without an oven— especially with Summer around the corner! New Yorker and Miami-native Cristina Suarez Krumsick is all too familiar with the stress of baking in a kitchen that is both too small and too hot. But never one to say no to hosting a party, Cristina traded the frustrations of traditional baking for the whimsy and innovation of treats she could make sans oven. Experimenting with ingredients found right in her cupboards, Cristina has developed a range of treats (including ones that are gluten-free and gluten-free option!) perfect for any occasion. The recipes in NO BAKE MAKERY offer all the fun of baking (and eating!), but none of the fuss. As we like to say, these mini delicious treats are made with lovin', not an oven. 

The publisher also offered a couple of gluten-free recipes for this blog. I'm certain these Star Burst swould be great for Memorial Day! (and I just happen to have a big bag of Starburst from the food co-op haul last week.And the fudge?  I have a lot of almond butter around here right now!

Star Bursts:
Ingredients

• 2 cups Greek yogurt

• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

• 1/2 cup fresh orange juice

• 15 ice pop sticks, cut in half

• 30 Starburst candies

Instructions

1. Combine the yogurt, lemon juice, and orange juice in a large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, stir until evenly blended.

1. Spoon the yogurt mixture into ice cube trays, filling each opening about three-quarters full. Tap the tray against a hard surface to even out the mixture.

1. Stick the blunt side of an ice pop stick into a Starburst and place one in each ice cube slot. Tap the tray against a hard surface again to even it out.

1. Freeze for 4 hours, or until solid. Carefully flex the tray to release the pops. 

Almond Butter Fudge: Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon unsalted butter

• 1 cup sliced almonds

• 1 cup unsalted creamy almond butter

• 1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk

• 1 1/2 Tablespoons honey

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 2 teaspoons sea salt

Instructions

1. Line an 8 by 8-inch baking dish with aluminum foil and coat with nonstick spray. Set aside.

1. Place the butter in a small saute pan over low heat. When it is just barely melted, add 1/2 cup of the sliced almonds and toast until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.

1. Combine the almond butter, condensed milk, honey, cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and the remaining untoasted sliced almonds in a large bowl. Using a rubber spatula, stir until evenly distributed. Pour into the prepared pan and smooth into an even layer.

1. Sprinkle the toasted almonds and the remaining 1 teaspoon salt over the mixture in the pan. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until the fudge is set.

1. Gently remove the fudge from the pan and place it on a cutting board. Peel off the foil and cut into two-bite pieces.

Want a copy of this book?  Enter my giveaway!  Tweet me @GingerCM and tell me why you'd like to have this lovely book!  And enjoy the recipes here.  The contest will end May 20th at 5 p.m.

Much love and happy no bakeing!

Ging

Details:
 BAKE MAKERY (Grand Central Life & Style; 9781455525133; $20).

Day two: Celiac Awareness Month Rudi's Gluten Free Supports Happy Campers @rudisglutenfree

I got am email the other day from the fine folks a Rudi's Gluten Free about its endeavor to send kids with Celiac Disease to summer camp.  I think that is so awesome!

Here's the info from their rep about the contest. 

Rudi’s Gluten-Free just announced its Gluten-Free “Happy Camper”  Facebook contest. 

This May, National Celiac Awareness Month,  Rudi’s Gluten-Free fans are encouraged to submit a 200-word essay from their child explaining what attending a gluten-free summer camp would mean to them. Based on the essays, 10 lucky kiddos (ages 8-17) will win a week-long gluten-free camp experience!

This sounds like a great opportunity for someone -- maybe for your child! Head on over to Facebook, or check them on Twitter at @rudisglutenfree

So sign up now!

Much love,
Ging

PS I'm always a fan of Rudi's because my maiden name is Rudeseal, and lots of people called my Dad and Mom Rudi -- my mom was Mrs. Rud, my Dad Rudy.  I have to love a product that bears my moniker.

Happy Celiac Awareness Month

May is national Celiac Awareness Month, and I can't think of a better way to kick off the celebration than to attend the Atlanta Gluten Free Allergy Free Wellness Expo this Sunday at  the

Gwinnett Center

6400 Sugarloaf Parkwy

Duluth, Georgia

REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE!

I'll be live tweeting the event and posting about the new products i DISCOVER.  I hope I'll see you there!

Here's the website:
http://www.echoglutenfreeinfo.blogspot.com/

And here are the vendors;

• Against The Grain Gourmet
• American Gra-Frutti
• Bakery On Main
• Bard's Beer
• Blue Diamond
• Blue Ribbon Foods
• Brunehaut Beers
• Camp Weekaneatit
• Cheenies
• Crunchies Food
• Delight Gluten Free Magazine
• Earth Balance
• Eat Perfect Foods
• Edward & Sons
• El's Kitchen
• Enjoy Life Foods
• Europa Sports
• FARE
• Food Allergy Kids of Atlanta
• Frannie's Gluten Free
• FreeCuisine.com
• Front Porch Sweets
• Full Flavor Foods
• Gluten Free Cutie
• Gluten-Free PA
• Glutino
• Graw Foods
• Happy Family Brand
• I'm A Celiac
• Juice Plus
• Jules Gluten Free
• Kinnikinnick
• Living Without Magazine
• Luce's Gluten Free Artisan Bread
• Mama Bakes Safe Cakes
• Mina's Purely Divine
• Moon Rabbit Foods
• Namaste Foods
• New Planet Beer
• Noah's Pantry
• NuSkin
• PASCHA Chocolate
• Penta Water
• Pure Knead
• Reliv International
• Sally's Gluten Free Bakery
• Simply Gluten Free Magazine
• Smooze
• Sugar & Spice Market
• Surf Sweets
• Taste of Gluten Free
• Triumph Dining
• Udi's Gluten Free Foods
• Uncle Maddio's Pizza Joint
• Virtuous Living
• Wayfare

Donation Vendors

• Adam's Gluten Free Surprise!
• Allerbling
• Allergy Free Passport
• Celiac and the Beast
• Kim & Scott's Gourmet Pretzels
• Lovebean Fudge Cream
• Nature's Path
• Schar
• Sophie's Kitchen

Have you tried the #GF @consciousbox? CONTEST!

A few weeks ago I got this notice for Conscious Box, a subscription box service that is green and provides an assortment of new products in a neat package each month.

When I saw they had an exclusive gluten-free package, I signed up immediately and subscribed for a year.  My first package arrived last weekend, and it had a great assortment of goodies in it -- all green, fresh, and gluten free!

Here's how it works!

So here is the fun part!

Conscious Box has authorized me to offer you this great deal on a  3-month Conscious Box subscription – that's a $59 value! AND they'd also like to offer you readers a 25% OFF discount for any Conscious Box subscription. Use code: LOVELIFE

Here's what you do:

Head to ConsciousBox.com and create a profile! This is totally free!

Head to Facebook.com/ConsciousBox and like our page! Leave a comment about your blog. We'll be shouting out blogs who send us the most people!

Share our page with your friends!

To enter my giveaway: TWEET me at April 25 at 5 p.m. est.

Have fun!

Ging

Save the date! May 5, 2013: Atlanta Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event @GFAFWellness

I am excited about The Atlanta Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event scheduled May 5 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. at Gwinnett Center outside Atlanta.

I haven't been healthy enough to travel to any gluten-free events since 2011, and I've honestly missed finding out more about the growing gluten-free community.

There are so many changes in gluten-free foods since I was first diagnosed with Celiac disease in 2007.  As I approach my anniversary, I'm thankful for events like this.  There is something absolutely THRILLING about going to an exhibition hall full of food and knowing you can safely enjoy it all!  

I hope I'll see many friends at the expo! This event is going to be awesome! Check out this press release from the organizers!

•••••••••••••••••••••••••

Atlanta Welcomes

Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event

Many of the hottest and newest gluten-free foods, including products from more than 25 metro Atlanta vendors, will fill the exhibit hall at the Gwinnett Center on Sunday, May 5, 2013 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for the Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event. 

Organized by ECHO Event Solutions (ECHO), the event is sponsored by Udi’s Gluten Free, Glutino Food Group, Enjoy Life Foods, Ingles Markets, and Penta Water.  This is the first event in Atlanta organized by ECHO, but it marks the sixth time Atlanta has hosted a gluten-free event. 

The event is open to the community, and it caters to those who avoid multiple allergens, such as gluten, dairy, soy, nuts, grains, etc.  The event features an Allergen Free Zone sponsored by Enjoy Life Foods, where all products will be free of nuts.  Companies with Kosher/gluten-free products will also be in attendance as this is the first year the event is being held on Sunday. 

Admission is $10 per adult; kids 13 and under are free.  Tickets can be purchased online.  Those who purchase their tickets in advance are automatically entered into a drawing for a gift basket from one of the event’s sponsors.

Sampling of gluten-free/allergen-free foods begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 5 p.m. with guest speakers and cooking demonstrations rounding out the day. Products will also be available for sale, so attendees should come prepared to take advantage of show prices.

The event features lectures from Dr. Cynthia Rudert M.D., F.A.C.P., a Board Certified Gastroenterologist specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of celiac disease, Carol Kicinski, American’s Gluten Free Voice, and Founder & Editor in Chief of Simply Gluten Free Magazine, Leah McGrath, Ingles Markets dietitian, and Brandy Wendler, Mrs. Northwest.

Cooking demonstrations are being taught by Jules Shepard of Jules Gluten Free, Charles and Julie Mayfield of Paleo Comfort Foods, Chef Sue Snape of Café Jonah, Chef Tracey Bloom of FreeCuisine.com, and Roben Ryberg, noted food writer. 

2013 vendors from metro Atlanta include but are not limited to: American Gra-Frutti, Camp Weekaneatit, Ethan & Collier Popcorn, Frannie’s Gluten Free, Front Porch Sweets, Gluten Free Cutie, Good Grub Subs, Mama Bakes Safe Cakes, Mina’s Purely Divine, Pure Knead, Premade Paleo, Sally’s Gluten Free Bakery, and Taste of Gluten Free.  

National vendors attending the event include but are not limited to: Against the Grain Gourmet, Bakery on Main, Blue Diamond Growers, Delight Gluten Free Magazine, Earth Balance, Kinnikinnick Foods, Living Without Magazine, New Planet Beer, Nogii, Rudi’s Gluten Free Bakery, Simply Gluten Free Magazine, and Surf Sweets.  A complete list of participating vendors can be found on their website. 

A percentage of the proceeds from this year’s event will be donated to local gluten and allergen-free support efforts.  The 2013 Atlanta Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event will be held at the Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth, GA. 30097.  For more information visit the website at http://www.echoglutenfreeinfo.blogspot.com/, or for directions to the event contact the Gwinnett Center at 770-813-7500.

ECHO Event Solutions plans and executes Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Events across the United States to support and connect communities with the best options available and to build brand awareness for businesses.  Nikki Everett is the Directing Coordinator of ECHO Event Solutions. Nikki has been organizing gluten/allergen-free expos and educational events in the southeast for the last five years.  Jennifer Harris is the Co-Directing Coordinator of ECHO Event Solutions.  Jennifer has been organizing gluten-free expos and educational events in the Atlanta market for the last five years and she has experience as a gluten-free buyer, product specialist, and consultant.  The combination of both of their years of experience results in professionally organized events that put companies face-to-face with their target audience. 

A complete list of participating vendors and show sponsors can be located on the event website at: http://atlantaglutenfreeexpo.blogspot.com/  Other info on Twitter is at @GFAFWellness

I'll be there -- I hope you will be, too!

xoxo

Much love,

Ging

EASTER Dessert: Warm up a Cold Weather with a Tropical Fruit Parfait

Bring Bright, Sunny Flavors to an Early Easter Holidays come early this Spring, warm up Easter Brunch with a tropical fruit parfait   Spring holidays fall earlier this year and may be much cooler than usual. Warm up the holiday table by incorporating the bright, sunny, refreshing flavors of spring into an Easter Brunch. A tropical fruit parfait will add some sunshine to your celebration. Start with an abundance of fresh tropical fruits, then layer with a sweet, creamy filling scented with Nielsen-Massey Pure Orange Extract (recipe below). Made from the finest oranges, this extract enhances the fruits’ natural flavors. Guests will appreciate the light dessert, which brings a little extra color to what may be a colder than usual holiday.   Tropical Fruit Parfait 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 3 tablespoons confectioners' sugar, sifted 2 to 4 tablespoons whole milk 1/2 teaspoon Nielsen-Massey Pure Orange Extract 4 fruit choices such as finely diced mango, pineapple, grapes, strawberries or whole blueberries Combine the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, milk and orange extract in a mixing bowl and beat using an electric mixer. Alternate layers of the cream cheese mixture and the fruit in a trifle dish or parfait glasses by either spooning the cream cheese mixture or piping with a pastry bag. Note: Approximately 3/4 cup of each fruit choice allows for 2 tablespoons per layer in parfait glasses. Serves 6 About Nielsen-Massey Vanillas Throughout its more than 100 year history, Nielsen-Massey Vanillas has earned its reputation as a manufacturer of the finest extracts in the world. The full line of Nielsen-Massey’s Pure Vanilla products include: Vanilla Beans and Extracts from Madagascar, Tahiti and Mexico; sugar and alcohol-free Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Powder; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Bean Paste; Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Sugar, Organic Fairtrade Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract and Organic Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Beans. Nielsen-Massey Vanillas also offers a full line of Pure Flavors: Pure Chocolate Extract, Pure Almond Extract, Pure Orange Extract, Pure Lemon Extract, Pure Coffee Extract, Pure Peppermint Extract, Orange Blossom Water and Rose Water. All Nielsen-Massey products are Allergen-Free and certified Kosher and Gluten-Free. The company is headquartered in Waukegan, Illinois, with production facilities in Waukegan and Leeuwarden, The Netherlands. # # #

137 N. Oak Park Ave., Oak Park, IL, 60301