A Local Restaurant Review

Thanks to our members that write in and let us know how a dining experience went for them! We're always open to your suggestions and experiences. Happy and safe eating everyone!

"Hi, my name is K.D. and I have attended many of your meetings. I know you have a newsletter coming out soon and think this would be worth adding. Saw the words "gluten-free menu options" on a banner outside of a Restaurant. Just ate there. Yum! It had "gluten-free" and for those who want it "vegan" catagory too printed on their Breakfast menu, Breakfast is served all day. There were many selections and the wait staff brought me an ingredient list when I seemed unsure. Really I couldn't beleive my eyes. They did their homework all was truly GF. Talked with cook and he seemed very knowlegable. He said he does and would be happy to alter more items off the menu with request and knows Celiacs (he brought the subject up) that eat there. Gluten-free biscuits and gravy was great! I keep going back and getting takeout. The cook makes everything from stratch. Checkout the menu off this website: Francis Restaurant
They are at 2338 NE Alberta. The owner told me that a new bakery was going up down the street too (block or so away) with GF options. How exciting, it is great to be in Portland. I told him I would pass on the word on to you! He was unaware of our group."

Gluten-free Valencia Cake at Starbucks

Hello, Chris here. I’m the lead product developer for the new Gluten-free Orange Valencia Cake at Starbucks. Today, I’d like to share a behind the scenes look into the development of a delicious and gluten-free cake. We start with just seven simple ingredients (eggs, Valencia orange pulp, almonds, sugar, orange peel, gluten-free baking powder, and orange oil) and carefully blend them together in small batches at our partner bakery. Because gluten can easily contaminate through pans, tools and even in the air, the bakery has a special gluten-free zone with dedicated equipment, pans and washing stations.

After the cake batter is made, it’s transferred to the batter depositor that pushes batter into baking cups (think of a hose nozzle, but instead of water, batter comes out). The cakes are then hand-sprinkled with slivered almonds baked. Just 35 minutes later, little golden orange cakes emerge. When the cakes are cooled, they are put through a machine called a “doughboy” wrapper. This machine individually wraps the cakes to prevent gluten contamination during transit and handling. We ensure the product is gluten-free by lab testing the cakes every day (less than 20 parts per million) before they are shipped to our stores. Our partners have been trained to serve the cake in their wrappers to protect our gluten-sensitive customers.

As you can see, a lot of care and attention goes into each and every cake we make. I hope you enjoy this moist and delicious Valencia Orange Cake as much as I do (and I am not even gluten-sensitive)!

Source: Click here to see pictures!

Food Faire - Thank You!

Thanks to everyone who showed up! We had over 400 people attend. Hope to see you all next year too!

Man Swims From Alcatraz

David Milkes has a sister who was always hungry and was vomiting daily. She went from doctor to doctor before she was finally diagnosed with celiac disease.

David is a physician and recreational swimmer, but he decided to get into good physical shape and join the 28th annual "Alcatraz Challenge" to swim the 1.5 miles from Alcatraz to the shores of San Francisco Bay in an effort to bring attention to this disease.

He was warned that he might encounter gale-force winds, impenetrable fog, cold choppy water, and sharks. Gary Emich, the swimming coach, assured the swimmers that the type of sharks in the bay had no interest in devouring swimmers.

David swam the course in one hour four minutes and managed to raise $5250 which he donated to the Celiac Disease Center at Columbus University Medical Center (David's alma mater). Thank you, David!

FOOD FAIRE - SATURDAY APRIL 25th 2009

It is estimated that, for each person diagnosed with gluten intolerance, celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis, 90 people are undiagnosed and suffering; the average time it takes to diagnose CD from the onset of symptoms is 11 years. However, most physicians still believe that this is a rare disorder. Help GIG support those affected by these diseases with support, education and resources.

The proceeds from our fourth annual food fair will go to fund this worthy cause. Due to a lack of volunteers the walk fund raising portion of this event will be canceled this year. Please if you can find the time, consider joining your efforts with ours in this worthy organization.

VENUE:
ALL SAINTS CATHOLIC CHURCH
3847 NE Glisan St. Portland Oregon

DATE:
SATURDAY, APRIL 25th 2009

TIME:
11:00 am - 1:30 pm

PRICE:
$3

INFO:
More than 30 vendors, free samples and door prizes

Coffee Plant

A note from the Coffee Plant:

While the high quality 100% gf pastries still feel like a well-kept secret, they are now available in an increasing number of locations, thanks to our wholesale program, CCP Gluten Free Baking. Currently, in addition to our gluten-free cafe at 5915 SW Corbett Avenue, you can enjoy our gf coffeecakes and granola at The Fresh Pot Hawthorne (3729 SE Hawthorne) and a selection of gf pastries at Coffee Plant Downtown (724 SW Washington Street). And now, Divine Cafe (located in NCNM campus in Southwest Portland) as well as Food Front Hillsdale are selling our gluten-free goodies. Hooray!

We also offer a variety of cold salads, soups and other lunch items and are still making quiches with the Bravaria Mills crusts. We have a number of pastries that are dairy free as well (cookies and bars) and can do custom cakes and pies that exclude other allergens. Our retail area is always stocked with scone/muffin/cookie mixes ready to buy and make at home. So look for that when visiting us. Hope to see you soon!

Glutino Recalls Organic Chocolate Peanut Bars

Due to the expanded Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) recall, Glutino is voluntarily recalling its Organic Chocolate Peanut Bars (specific lots 0358A, 0368A, 1338A, 1968A, 1978A, 2548A, 2558A, 2908A, 3368A). The recalled Glutino Organic Chocolate Peanut Bars come in 5 oz packages (5 bars per box) and are sold nationwide as well as on ww.glutenfree.com. It is important to note that there have been NO cases of illness related to these bars. The products and lots in question have been tested for salmonella and were NEGATIVE but Glutino is nonetheless voluntarily recalling this product as a precautionary measure since the safety of our customers is of utmost importance to us.

Please note that the recall is ONLY related to the Glutino Organic Chocolate Peanut Bars and does not affect the Glutino Organic Chocolate Banana Bars or Glutino Organic Wildberry Bars or any of the Glutino Breakfast Bars. All our products are gluten-free and the recalled bar in question is gluten-free; this recall is strictly in response to the peanut recall in the USA. Consumers, who have purchased this product and still have not consumed them, can return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

Consumers with questions may contact the Company at 1-800-363-3438. Consumers and representatives of the news media may obtain more information about Glutino, as well as any updates on this recall notification on our website: www.glutino.com, or by contacting customer service at the number listed above.