Cookbook book signing

Anne Byrn, author of The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free will be signing her books February 2nd at 7:30PM at Powell's Bookstore on Burnside.

For more information check out Powell's website
And Anne's site http://www.cakemixdoctor.com/

Anne Byrn takes cake mixes and adds a twist to make all kinds of creations like the one above. (The picture was taken from her website).  This is a great way to get started in baking gluten-free or to try something a little different.

about The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten-Free

Thirty million Americans are gluten-intolerant or have a gluten sensitivity, eliminating it from their diets because gluten—a protein found in wheat, rye, and barley—has been implicated in health issues ranging from respiratory problems and abdominal discomfort to anemia, anxiety, and infertility. The food industry has bullishly taken notice. Gluten-free baking products, including cake mixes from Betty Crocker, King Arthur, Whole Foods, and others, have increased sevenfold on grocery shelves in recent years, and the number of other gluten-free products has grown as well—832 were introduced in 2008 alone.  And gluten-free options are on the menu of national restaurants like Boston Market, Chili’s, Ruby Tuesday, Outback Steakhouse, and others.

Now comes even sweeter news for people looking to cut gluten from their diets: Anne Byrn shows how to transform gluten-free cake mixes into 76 rich, decadent, easy-to-make, impossible-to-resist desserts. Performing the magic that’s made her a bestselling baking author with over 33 million copies of her books in print, she doctors mixes with additions like almond extract, fresh berries, cocoa powder, grated coconut, cinnamon, lime zest, and more—naturally, all gluten-free ingredients—and voilà: Tres Leches Cake with Whipped Cream and Summer Berries, Almond Cream Cheese Pound Cake, Chocolate Cupcakes with Milk Chocolate Ganache, Caramel Melted Ice Cream Cake, Warm Tarte Tatin Apple Cake, plus brownies, bars, muffins, and cookies. Dessert is back on the menu.   

Gluten-free Back-to-School Tips and Recipes

If it hasn't started yet, school's just around the corner for millions of gluten-free kids. That means a gluten-free plan for breakfast every morning, and for gluten-free lunches, and in-school and after-school snacks.

Dana Korn, author of Kids with Celiac Disease, makes some excellent suggestions for getting an early handle on any gluten-free challenges or resources that may await your child at school.

Her suggestions include:

• Empower Your Child: Encourage even young children to understand their diet, the importance of following it, and to have the confidence to mention it to adults and other kids as needed.
• Provide Written Instructions: Provide the teachers, principal, school nurse, dietitian, or any food preparer, with clear, concise written materials explaining celiac disease and your child's diet. Include lists of safe foods and unsafe foods.
  
• Communication:Make sure everyone in the school food loop knows the importance of your child remaining gluten-free. Help to make them aware of any alternative snacks or food you may have packed, along with a list of safe and unsafe foods.

Evaluate the School's Gluten-free Options: Schools often prepare food for numerous children with lactose or gluten-intolerance, peanut allergies, or other food restrictions. Talk to the dietitian or person in charge of food preparation. Review menus, furnish lists, and talk about the importance of avoiding cross-contamination. If you feel comfortable with the personnel's ability to provide a gluten-free diet, give them the chance to do so. If you're not comfortable, or if it doesn't work out, you can always pack a lunch. The Gluten Free Lunch Book offers lunch suggestions for days when children can't eat cafeteria food. Online, the blog onlysometimesclever offers up some excellent gluten-free food recipes for school day meals.

Talk to Lunchtime Supervisors:
So the best you can do is explain to your child why she cant trade food with her buddies, and make sure the lunch area monitors are keeping an eye out for swappers.

Provide Teacher with Gluten-free Treats
Get a schedule of classmates birthdays and scheduled holiday parties. Plan accordingly. If your child's birthday falls on a school day, consider celebrating with gluten-free treats for the whole class.

Gluten-free Lunch Tips
Toast gluten-free bread before making sandwiches. Also, most gluten free bread travels better wrapped in a paper towel and placed in a reusable plastic container than it does in sandwich bags. Consider keeping bread separate from sandwich ingredients. Include spreads on the side. For information on children's legal rights to reduced-cost school lunches, see section 504 of Kids with Celiac Disease.
Last, find Gluten-Free School Lunch Recipes and information on How to Pack a Gluten-Free Lunch, along with gluten-free back-to-school resources, tips and food ideas at:

• onlysometimesclever.wordpress.com
• Kids With Celiac Disease
• The Kids are Back in School - Tips for Making the (Gluten-Free) Grade
• The Gluten Free Kid: a Celiac Survival Guide
• Gluten-Free School Lunch Recipes
• How to Pack a Gluten-Free Lunch

Source: http://www.celiac.com, written by Jefferson Adams

Connie Sarros Cookbooks - Now Dairy Free Friendly Too!

Connie Sarros has finished revising her "Wheat-free Gluten-free Cookbooks for Kids and Busy Adults." In October, the new version of the book will be available at bookstores and on her web site at www.gfbooks.homestead.com. There are new recipes added and ALL recipes show ingredient adjustments for dairy-free diets.