gluten free cookbook and flour giveaway

We recently reached 1,000 followers on our facebook page, and wanted to celebrate this exciting milestone with a cookbook giveaway courtesy of Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag!

photo credit: gluten free vancouver

Anna and Kristina’s Grocery Bag is a TV show that conducts tests of cookbooks and kitchen products from the perspective of the average consumer. The main idea of the show is to see if the chosen cookbook delivers on its promises. Anna and Kristina will be reviewing a gluten free cookbook entitled Artisinal Gluten Free Cooking by Kelli and Peter Bronski on October 30th at 6:00 pm and 10:00 pm PST / 9:00 pm and 1:00 am EST on OWN Canada. The Artisanal Gluten Free Cookbook has over 250 recipes from around the world and also provides a recipe for an all purpose gluten free flour blend.

Tune in to find out how this cookbook stacks up and what recipes Anna and Kristina try to recreate. Anna and Kristina will also be testing out four gluten free flour blends including Bobs Red Mill, Cup 4 Cup, Westpoint Naturals, Pure Pantry to see which ones work best.

photo credit: gluten free vancouverphoto credit: gluten free vancouver

Giveaway details:

We have five gluten free prize packs to giveaway to five lucky readers! Each prize pack includes one copy of the Artisanal Gluten Free Cooking cookbook and two 1 lb bags of all purpose gluten free flour mixes from King Arthur and Bob’s Red Mill. We used Bob’s Red Mill all purpose flour in a recent cookie recipe post, read our review here.

How to enter the giveaway:

To enter the giveaway simply leave a comment on this blog post, or leave a comment on our facebook page, or retweet our twitter post! The giveaway will close at midnight on October 31^st and we will announce the five winners on our blog, facebook and twitter pages on November 1^st

Enjoy the show and good luck to all of our readers!

Robyn + Andrea

Lay's chips now gluten free

photo credit: gluten free vancouverThe Canadian Celiac Association recently started a Gluten-Free Certification Program (GFCP) and several flavors of Lay’s potato chips were the first to be certified gluten free! The certification program helps consumers identify mainstream products that are safe for people with celiac disease and gluten sensitivity, and it also assists companies in delivering a truly gluten free product.

The primary requirement of the GFCP is for companies to develop a gluten free management system for their facilities that is based on the regulatory requirements of Health Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations. As part of the amendments to the Food Allergen Labeling Regulations, which take effect on August 4, 2012, the Food and Drug Regulations will state that

it is prohibited to label, package, sell or advertise a food in a manner likely to create an impression that is a gluten free food if the food contains any gluten protein.

While no specific threshold is provided within the regulation, current scientific evidence indicates that levels of gluten below 20 ppm would be protective of the health of the vast majority of people with celiac disease.

It's great to see a mainstream company such as Frito-Lay participate in the program and certify several flavors of Lay's chips gluten free, and they have not changed in taste. For a list of Lay's flavors that are now labeled gluten free, click here.

Robyn + Andrea

it's a girl!

We are happy to announce the arrival of Hana Bea, Andrea's second baby girl. To celebrate, Andrea and her three-year old daughter Pilar decided to make some cupcakes to share with friends and family, gluten free of course. 

photo credit: gluten free vancouver

This gluten free cupcake recipe is great for any special occasion, and can be made within an hour. They used Betty Crocker's gluten free chocolate cake mix, combined with a cream cheese frosting to make a moist and delectable cupcake. In addition to the cake mix, you'll need one cup of water, three eggs (or Ener-G egg replacer), and 1/2 cup of butter. If you prefer not to use butter, the website also offers butter free recipe instructions. One box makes approximately twelve large cupcakes.

For the frosting, we used the Philadelphia cream cheese frosting recipe from Kraft. 

All of Betty Crocker's gluten free mixes are made in a dedicated gluten free facility. The FAQ page on their website also mentions that the Betty Crocker frostings will be labeled gluten free this fall, which will make this already simple recipe even easier!

Here is a link to another easy gluten free cupcake recipe we've done.

Enjoy! Robyn and Andrea

glutenull gluten free breads

photo credit: gluten free vancouver

Glutenull is a relatively new certified gluten free business, based in Coquitlam, B.C, that makes a range of baking products including breads, cookies, muffins, granola and granola bars. The best part about Glutenull's products is that they are all vegan (dairy, casein and egg free), as well as yeast and sulphite free too! Glutenull uses organic whole ingredients such as amaranth, buckwheat and quinoa in their products, and also use trusted flours from Bob's Red Mill.

Glutenull offers five different types of gluten free bread including amaranth, brown rice, buckwheat, and quinoa. Glutenull’s breads are amazingly also sugar and oil free apart from being vegan, yeast and sulphite free! These breads are perfect for anyone with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, but are an excellent option for those on sugar, dairy and egg free diets. These breads, unlike most others, taste great untoasted but should be stored frozen.

Glutenull also makes an excellent muffin called the quartet that is reminiscent of a hearty bran muffin, and while they are dense, they are not dry or oily like most gluten free muffins out there. The quartet muffins are made with brown rice flour, organic ground flaxseed, organic raisins and oranges!

Glutenull’s Coco Moko Shortbread cookie is one of their best sellers and for good reason! It is made with walnuts, raisins, cranberries and vegan butter. The Fruit and Nut cookie is made with organic buckwheat cereal, walnuts, almonds, dried plums, cranberries and figs. Both cookies are sweetened with lemon juice and organic agave syrup. 

We also love Glutenull's oat free sprouted quinoa granola cereal and buckwheat granola bars; they are healthy, perfectly sweet and tasty, and great when you are on the go. 

Glutenull products are available in over 75 locations in the Lower Mainland including Thrifty's, IGA, Spud, Stongs Market, Whole Foods and Ed's Gluten Free Specialty store. Products are also now available at all greater Victoria Thrifty locations as well! Click here for a full list of retailers where Glutenull's products are sold. 

A new bread will also be available soon which will be made with an antioxidant herb to help reduce inflammation and promote health. This bread option will be excellent for those who have inflammation due to food sensitivities. 

We highly recommend Glutenull's products particularly because they are not only local and certified gluten free, but free from other common allergens such as dairy and eggs!

Robyn + Andrea

gluten free hamburgers

photo credit: gluten free vancouver

There has been a noticeable increase in the availability of gluten free hamburger buns at many popular restaurants around Vancouver lately, including the Wallflower Modern Diner, Milestones, and Romer's Burger Bar.

The Wallflower, located in the south Main street neighborhood, is a local favorite of ours and we really love the variety of gluten free menu items including poutine, mac & cheese and even a turkey dinner, all gluten free! The Wallflower is also known for it's vegan menu and there is a Vegan Portobello Burger available as well.

The hamburger at the Wallflower makes our top pick because they are one of the few restaurants that have gluten free french fries that are cooked separately from wheat products, and they also carry New Grist and Bards gluten free beer! It is a real treat to be able to have not only a gluten free bun, but fries and beer too. We also trust that measures are taken to prevent cross-contamination behind the scenes, and staff at the Wallflower are aware of allergies including celiac disease. 

photo credit: gluten free vancouver

Milestone’s also has a great gluten free menu that includes brown rice spaghettini pasta and a ganache torte for dessert. We wrote about Milestone's recently, read our article here. The gluten free hamburger with bun is a relatively new addition to the gluten free section in Milestone's menu, and it is really good. The hamburger bun that both Milestones and Romer's Burger Bar use are supplied by the French Meadow Bakery, an organic bakery from the U.S that specializes in gluten free bread products. The buns are really good, and hold up when well toasted. Andrea and I have been to Romer's Burger Bar twice, and the first time the bun was not toasted quite enough and crumbled easily, but it was perfect the second time.

photo credit: gluten free vancouver

Milestone's and Romer's french fries are not gluten free, since like most restaurants they are not cooked separately from wheat products. Romer's manager mentioned to us that they are considering carrying gluten free beer in the future, which would be great! Romer's Burger Bar is located in Kitsilano on West 4th near Burrard, and also have a location in Steveston. All of the gluten free hamburgers we tried were really good and we highly recommend all three.

Robyn + Andrea

earth day ideas

In recognition of Earth Day, we thought we would let you know about some of the fabulous products we use day to day that are earth friendly. Some them are also products that we use to ensure our foods are safely separated from possible gluten contamination at home and at work. 

top: produce bags from crate & barrel, bottom left: paper straws, bottom right: lunchskins, both from greenmunch. photo credit: gluten free vancouverWe picked up these great produce bags at Crate & Barrel when we were in Los Angeles last year for the Celiac Disease Foundation's annual Education Conference & Food Faire, but you can find them in most grocery stores now. They are great for produce, and so much more! I have used mine as a lunch bag, a toy bag, and even small laundry bags when traveling. They are slightly transparent so it's easy to see what's inside, and the drawstring secures the bag tight. 

The paper straws and Lunchskins are some fun products we picked up from the online eco-friendly retailer Greenmunch. It was so much fun shopping on their website, it was hard to decide what to choose. In the end I bought colorful paper straws and the Lunchskins which are perfect for keeping my gluten free snacks nicely wrapped up and separate from everything else. Instead of my name I simply wrote gluten free in the space provided so there would be no mix up with anyone else's sandwiches. The Lunchskins come in many wonderful colors and patterns, and two sizes: sandwich and snack size. They are also dishwasher-safe! 

mason jars & repurposed jars. photo credit: gluten free vancouverAnother thing we love, good old mason jars, or any jar really! At home I use them to store all my bulk grains, beans, and legumes. This not only keeps them fresh, but they are easy to stack, label, and see what's inside. I also feel better knowing my bulk food is secured under a lid, where no gluten crumbs can find their way in. My kitchen is gluten free for the most part, but occasionally my husband and daughter do have wheat bread and cereals at home. And it's those times I am thankful that I have taken simple measures to keep other foods safe from cross contamination.

We hope you enjoy these simple and fun ways to be eco-friendly, and gluten free in your day to day lives. Let us know what products or steps you take to be more earth-friendly and gluten-safe in your daily routine! Andrea.

we love macarons

photo credit: gluten free vancouverThe Vancouver Sun declared that 2012 is the year of the macaron in Vancouver, and fortunately for all us gluten free people, macarons are made with almond flour, which is gluten free! We've been finding macarons popping up all around Vancouver. You'll find them at Simply French in Point Grey (one of our favorite cafes, it's kid friendly too!), the newly opened Bel Cafe in the Hotel Georgia, Thomas Haas cafes in North Vancouver and Kitsilano, and at the recently opened Soirette in Coal Harbour. 

What makes Soirette unique is that macarons are all they make, and they are very dedicated to these little delicacies. Soirette is also very passionate about tea, and their teas are excellent, and about half of them are organic. The london fog that I ordered was THE best london fog I have ever had. 

Soirette, which means 'little party' in French, is the creation of owner and pastry chef Shobna. Soirette has about twenty different macaron flavours, all carefully handcrafted in-house with top quality ingredients. The macarons are made with a chocolate and cream ganache filling and come in a variety of subtle flavours including lavender, lemon, maple, vanilla, matcha, and cappuccino. We were really impressed by all the macarons we tried, but the lemon and lavender really stood out for us. 

photo credit: gluten free vancouver

The shop interior was designed to let the macarons take center stage by keeping it minimal and and mostly white. Photographer Catherine Chan has produced eye-popping wall photos where the macarons are like models in a fashion shoot. Shobna has also taken great care in the packaging she offers. All package materials have been sourced locally, the materials are all recyclable. You can purchase Soirette macarons individually, or in boxes of 6 and 12.

Soirette's main macaron flavours are all gluten free, and the staff are very aware of gluten and celiac disease. However, Soirette likes to introduce special macaron flavors for holidays, therefore we recommend to always ask if a specific macaron is gluten free. To see what Shobna came up with for Easter, follow this link to their facebook page. Soirette is located at 1433 West Pender Street, in Coal Harbour.

Gastown Shop Hop 

photo credit: örling & wu

You can also get a chance to win some Soirette macarons this week during Gastown's Shop Hop event, which takes place April 12th from 5-9pm. Örling & Wu, one of Gastown's best home decor stores, is sponsoring a Soirette giveaway, the first forty customers to make a purchase of $50 or more will receive a Soirette macaron in a signature giftbox. Soirette will also be in store demonstrating how to decorate macarons that you can take home! While you are there, as part of the Shop Hop event, Örling & Wu is offering 15% off their regluarly priced merchandise. 

If you are also a fan of handmade gelato, Bella Gelateria will have their gelato stand out front of Örling & Wu, and will be offering a free gelato tasting! 

Enjoy your macarons (and gelato)!  Andrea & Robyn