PF Chang's

I hope everyone is aware, PF Chang's has a gluten free menu. It is incredable.

Today I ate at the Cool Springs PF Chang's.

One thing I like is, the gluten free menu is on the back of the regular menu. Normally you have to ask for the gluten free menu.

Today I had g-free lettuce wraps and Chicken Stir Fry.

They even have a flowerless chocoate cake!

Foods that boost your energy

My daughter found a article in the Tennessean writen by Claudia Pinto.
It talkes about what we eat, affects our energy during the day and weight loss/gain. We have heard so many things about this but for some reason, this made so much sense to me.
Bottom line:
And I quote her: For sustained energy, people should eat a combination of complex carbohydrates, proteins and healthy fats. Dietician Reba Sloan, www.rebasloannutrition.com, said the breakdown should be roughly 60 percent carbs, 20 percent protein and 20 percent fat. The protein and fat slow down the release of sugar in the blood, which prevents a dip in energy and the desire to eat again.

Here is a short list of foods that are good sources of carbs, proteins and fats.

Complex carbohydrates: G-free Oatmeal, whole wheat breads (for Celiac's it would be gluten free)brown rice, sweet potatoes, asparagus, strawberries.
Proteins: Turkey, fish (tilapia or mahimahi, salmon, tuna) beans (black, lentil, pinto) cottage cheese, yogurt, shrimp, mozzarella cheese.
Fats: Nuts (almonds, macadamia, pistachios, pecans, peanuts, cashews) avacado, peanut butter, olives, olive oil

She says Carbohydrates are like high-octane gas for the body. Foods that are high in carbohydrates give people a natural energy boost. If you are not eating enouogh carbohydrates, that makes you mentally sluggish...

She says the protein and fat slows down the release of sugar in the blood. That revents a dip in energy and the desire to eat again.

You can read the entire article in The Tennessean Monday 7/26, 2010.

Sitar Indian Cuisine

Tonight I really stepped out of my confort zone and went to Sitar Indian Cuisine restaurant in Nashville. 116 21st Avenue North.

The owner didn't know what Gluten was but once I showed him my card I carry around and explained to him....he said you can get any entre gluten free. Obviously, stay away from the bread they give each table but all of their dishes use spices and natural foods.

It was delichous! I can't wait to go back.

Eating Out

Last night my son and I ate at Royal Thai in Nashville. 120 19th Ave North.

I asked what I could eat that would be gluten free. The waiter didn't know what that was untill I explained it to him.

After speaking to the chef, I was told the Kao Pad could be made without Soy Sause.

It was deliousious. The waiter said many people come in and ask for no Soy Sauce for this and other dishes. They used a bit of oil, salt and pepper

I highly recommend this dish and restaurant.
www.royalthaionline.com

Beef Bouillon G-Free

I am thrilled to find a Beef Bouillon Seasoning that is Gluten Free!
My husband and I cook several things with it and had to stop using it till now.

Hormel Foods, Herb Ox Instant Broth & Seasoning Beef Bouillon. I found this in Publix with the regular products.

Sodium Free, gluten Free, No MSG added!

I use it in canned Green Beans (one packet for two cans), Soups and the pressure cooker when I cook potatoes and fresh green beans together(this is one of our favorite side dishes).

Enjoy!

Eating out with Hardee's

Not that I promote fast food dinning out, but I just found out (others may have known this for some time)you can order almost any burger wrapped in fresh whole-leaf iceberg lettuce and achieve gluten sensitive nirvana!

Other things I have read on their website/that they say are g-free:
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing is g-free
Cheese is g-free
Grits are g-free
Green Beans are g-free
Ham is g-gree
Punch is g-free
French fries are g-free

Looks like their chicken and Fish are not g-free

As always, check things out for yourself, don't ever take for word what you read or hear.

O'Charley's on White Bridge RD/Nashville, TN

Tip: found out that O'Charley's has a grilled chicken that is gluten free but is not on their regular menu. They do not have a gluten free menu but were very happy to prepare a wonderful grilled chicken, baked potato and fresh asparagus.
Delicious!

The waiter found it very fun to bring their kitchen book over to the table. Sat down with us and showed me how their rice had gluten in it and what he could do that was gluten free.

it was easy and pleasant. I tipped him big!

Fudgsicle's that are dairy and gluten free

Found in Celiac.com:Finally, a dairy-free, sugar-free, soy-free and gluten-free fudgsicle that is delicious, extremely easy to make, and because of the avocado it's also healthy! You will need 12 Popsicle molds for this recipe.

Dairy-Free Fudgesicles (Gluten-Free)
(Makes 12 Bars)

Ingredients:

•½ cup raw cocoa
•⅓ cup agave nectar (or to taste)
•1 ripe avocado
•1 can (15 ounces) coconut milk (use light for a low calorie treat)
•1 container (11.5 ounces) coconut water
To make:
Pour coconut milk, coconut water and agave nectar into blender.
Add peeled and pitted avocado.
Blend briefly, then add raw cocoa and blend on high until the entire mixture is extremely well blended.
Pour into Popsicle molds, freeze overnight, and enjoy!

Aunt April's Bakery in Nashville, TN

Aunt April's Bakery in Nashville, not only sales their gluten free and dairy free products to Nashville restaurants, but you can order straight from them for your own use. Having a b'day party, tea or gift to take to someone, call 615-568-0028 or go on their web site at: auntaprilsbakery.com

Some of the restaurants in Nashville that carry Aunt April's bakery are listed below:

The Green Wagon East: 1100 Forrest Ave. Nashville, TN

Matteo's Pizza: 1800 Carother's Pkwy, Brentwood, Tn

The Wild Cow: 1896 Eastland Ave. Nashville, TN

Yolos: 3805 Green Hills Village Dr. Nashville, TN

Hotel Indigo's Chef prepares a g-free lunch

The Chef at the Hotel Indigo Dowtown Nashville prepared a lovely g-free lunch.

This historic property is located on Union Street with wonderful guest rooms, lovely meeting space and a tremendous lunch menu in their cool looking restaurant.


Chef Dustin Allen (dallen615@gmail.com) came to the table to speak to me about what he can prepare that was Gluten Free. He suggested the Indigo Salmon Spinach Salad,(grilled Salmon, filet julienne vegetables, candied pecans and citrus vinaigrette on a bed of mixed greens) Or Strawberry & Gorgonzola Salad with Chicken.(Served on a bed of mixed greens topped with fresh sliced strawberries, gorgonzola cheese crumbles and Raspberry vinaigrette with grilled chicken or without chicken.)

I went with the Straberry Salad. Wonderful!

Tip #1: The Chef suggest anytime you dine out, call ahead if you can.
Tip #2: If you have cards made up, to give to the hostess(see yesterday's blog), that will give any Chef a much better understanding of your needs. Sometimes the translation between the waitress and chef gets messed up.

Gluten Free Restaurant cards in many countries

I just discovered this website. For a small donation, you can download and print off restaurant-cards for different countries! How cool is that!

http://www.celiactravel.com/restaurant-cards.html

Beef Vegetable Soup

Good for winter nights, summer colds, take to a dinner party or take to a sick friends house or just a good craving.....

Beef Vegetable Soup

*1 bottles Spicy Hot V8 vegetable juice. It says Gluten Free on the back!
*Beef, depends on size of crowd. Cut into small piece, I cooked for 20 min in pressure cooker but you can cook in skillet till tender.
*Frozen corn, 2 cups
*2 cans green beans
*Frozen peas, 1 cup
*Potatoes, peeled and cut in bit size, 7 potatoes
*2 - 3 cans of beef broth, optional, gluten free. I have even used g-free chicken broth. Tast just as good.
*G-free pasta optional
You can use any vegetables your family likes...
Enjoy

________________________________________


1) Cook the beef. I either use the pressure cooker or cook in skillet till tender.
2) In pot, combine all ingrediance.
Cook till potatoes are tender.
Season how you like

How to stop gaining weight on a G-free diet

Tip one: rice, corn & potatoes products offer very little in the way of nutritional value, and on top of it, they're high glycemic index foods that may make you pack on the pounds!!

Find more Quinoa, Millet, Buckwheat, Teff, Amaranth, Sweet Potatoes and Montina foods. For instance Quinoa pasta is pretty widely available and loaded with nutrition. Pronounced keen-wah Did you know it's actually a fruit? Cook like rice...Or add raw quinoa into soups to thicken...use cooked quinoa under chili.

Tip Two: stay away from man made foods....processed foods

Tip Three: high fructose corn syrup is G-free but will cause weight gain...watch HFCS in ketchup, salad dressings and low fat product's as well as the sweets

Tip Four: watch those yummy G-free goodies....but let yourself indulge once a week if you must

Tip Five: watch those sweet drinks and soft drinks...indulge once a week if you must

Tip Six: eat smaller portions and keep working out

You will find a balance that works...it's a lifestyle change....you will see the results in weight, energy and more alterness

Going to friends house...what can I eat that is Gluten Free?

It's 4th of July....dinner at friends house....will there be anything for me to eat?



Be safe...bring our own food.



I'll bring Potato Salad, crackers (Blue Diamond Pecan Nut-Thins)and brownies (Betty Crocker rocks!) all gluten-free!



Try this G-free potato Saled!



Traditional Potato Salad, G-free

• 7 potatoes


• 4 hard boiled eggs


• 1 cup mayo


• 1/2 cup sour cream


• 2/3 cup sweet pickle relish


• 1 1/2 tsp mustard


• 1/2 tsp salt


• 2 celery ribs, finely sliced


• 1/2 cup onion (I left this out)

Instructions:

1. Peel the potatoes & cut into one inch cubes


2. In a large pot, cover potato's with water and boil for 12 minutes or bit more


3. drain and cool


4. Chop the hard boiled eggs and put in a large bowl


5. Add all of the remaining ingredients and mix well


6. Add the potatoes to the bowl and stir gently to coat


7. Cover and chill untill ready to serve.

Do ask the hostess, to leave one piece of chicken or beef plain to be sure you can eat it.



Enjoy.