Super Bowl, Gluten-Free Style

Family get-togethers and parties of all shapes and sizes are always fun, but can be a veritable torture chamber for anyone struggling with a gluten intolerance, allergy, or Celiac's disease. With it being Super Bowl weekend, I thought I'd share some good recipes and places to get the ingredients for you football loving fans.

Dessert first, because really, if you're going to have a party you should go all out. Betty Crocker makes some really great baking mixes including the yellow cake mix and the brownie mixes. Wal-Mart, Super Target, Harris Teeter and Whole Foods all carry these, which is fantastic. The brownies can be a bit dry, so I always add some Reeses peanut butter chips, which add moisture and a great surprise to them. The yellow cake mix is okay on its own, but it has amazing potential. If you follow this recipe (ignore the cupcake bits, and don't put in the sugar) with the cake mix and bake it for 27 minutes then let it sit in the fridge for 1-12 hours you can make the world's richest most delicious gluten-free red velvet cake (and your gluten eating friends will love it to, I promise).

But, what's the Super Bowl without snacks, appetizers, and junk food, right? But just because you can't go out and buy the average frozen meatballs and wings doesn't mean you can't have delicious snacking food. Ian's make really great chicken nuggets, fries and pizza for kids and kids-at-heart. Nachos is an easy choice, seeing as most Tostidos are gluten-free. Kiddie friendly with just shredded cheese or add meat, olives, lettuce and you can have a taco salad that's quick, easy, and your gluten-eating friends will love, too! One of the best things to do when you're on a GF diet is to think outside the box. Don't discount recipes with gluten in them before figuring out how to do it yourself with your GF ingredients.

Also, when traveling to friends' house for a party you can bring your own things, surely, but don't feel bad telling them your concerns! They won't mind, especially because if they know you, they know you're GF and they'll be lost if you don't give them a few tips on what to do. Think about how confused you were when you started!

Finally, for you guys who just want to hit a sports bar or restaurant for the game, here are some great places in Cary and the surrounding areas:

Cafe Capistrano isn't really a sports place, but it is delicious and with corn tacos that are to die for and the flam that's sinful you can't go wrong, plus the owner there is very willing to change things around to make more things on the menu GF.

Chili's has a great GF menu, so friends looking to just "chill" come game time can all gather there.

Rosie's Plate is a dedicated GF and other allergy free kitchen, so you'll know you're in good hands. You can order these things and they'll be ready the following day at 3:00- this makes parties and dinner easy as GF pie!


Have a great Super Bowl everyone!

Keep eating!

Grocery Store Review: Walmart

I don't know about you, but I am always looking for ways to keep my grocery bill to a minimum. I used to be one of those coupon clippers, and could get a lot of food for near to free, but most of those items are laden with gluten and I have since cancelled my News and Observer Subscription.  I was one of "those" who only got the paper for the coupons, occasionally I glanced at the headlines, but if I were honest, I really glanced at the front page and the comics.  

I live in West Cary, as in, just about as far as you can get from Trader Joes and Whole Foods and still have a Cary address.  Which isn't really so bad, but I have to admit, the trek to that side of town still seems like a trek, and often times, hardly worth it.

So I have to admit I have paid more.  I became acutely aware of what Harris Teeeter carried that was gluten free, and Food Lion as well.  Most of the time I would do just fine, and found myself only going to the other side of Cary on occasion.  

A few weeks ago, those of us in West Cary celebrated the opening of the new Walmart naer I-540 and Hwy 54.  And as I always do when I walk into a new grocery store, I immediately started checking aisles for gluten free options.  There were several that I was aware of, not because of any markers or tags on the shelves, but because I know what brands have gluten and which ones label correctly at this point, but imagine my surprise when I also stumbled upon a section completely dedicated to GLUTEN FREE PRODUCTS!

Walmart we welcome you to west Cary, and we thank you for catering to our gluten free lifestlye!