Goodie Goodie Gluten-Free®

Duo , a new-comer to Madison Avenue is located between 27th and 28th Streets and lately buzzing for their gorgeous presentation on their brunches and dinners.  I have gone twice.  And the second time was to give a second chance.  Unfortunately this staff is not Gluten-Free friendly at all!  I have reacted twice, and will now spend the next few days itchy.  Total bummer.  I was really rooting for this spot. Their motto, a quote from the infamous Virginia Wolfe "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well if one has not dined well".  I wish this were true.  In this day of allergies, it is imperative that in order for a new comer to withstand any test of time, their staff must be 'in the know' when it comes to a gluten allergy or any other allergy for that matter. This spot had so much potential.  A very 'she-she' staff, gorgeous paintings of fairies and ladies on the wall, beautiful decor with leather and nail head studded chair...

So sad!  I just went to make a reservation at Bar Brenton; a French eatery that had a huge gluten-free menu and was known for their Buckwheat crepes-has closed!! To be honest I had gone only once and didn't love it, but everyone I know did, and I am shocked to hear that this restaurant couldn't stand the test of time. However in replace of Bar Brenton stands a new restaurant called La Quenelle that opened in March 2012 with the same chef and staff, but a different menu.  I called to find out if their menu was gluten-free...and sadly it is not, but they do have plenty of gluten-free options and the waitstaff is very gf friendly.  I also looked at their website and it looks scrumptious!   I think this new spot deserves a try. Enjoy! xoxo Julie www.goodiegoodiegluten-free.blogspot.com/ 

Did you know that most mouth washes contain alcohol, and because of that promote bad breath, rather then tackle it? CloSYS Oral Mouth Rinse is gluten-free and contains 0 alcohol content.  It is recommended by dentists and actually works long term. Oral  health is important, and having Celiac Disease can sometimes compromise healthy teeth and a healthy mouth. Closy's can be found at Walgreens, Amazon.com or directly from the CloSYS website. Enjoy! xoxo Julie www.goodiegoodiegluten-free.blogspot.com/ 

I gotta tell you, I am just loving Brussels sprouts (Can be spelled many ways, but the s should always be at the end of Brussel since the plant was named after the Belgium city Brussels)!  Of course as a kid or even a teen or college grad, I was disgusted by this vile veggie (first known use of Brussels Sprout was used in 1796 ) (and some sources go further back to the 1500's and even earlier).  My sister on the other hand loves Brussels Sprouts, and I decided that I would continually eat them no matter how much I hated them, so I could in turn learn to like them.  Brussels Sprout seems to be the new innovative veggie!  Different sauces from different lands, popular chefs at popular restaurants serving them roasted or grilled or even steamed, caramelized and candied.  I guess you could say I forced myself to like Brussels Sprouts, and now I'm loving them!  It's the perfect side dish and for some weird reason no one can turn down a side order of an intere...

Did you know that 99% of your calcium goes to your bones and your teeth?   Did you know that Vitamin D works hand in hand with Calcium by helping your intestines digest Calcium (a major building block for your bones)? There are many cases of Celiac Disease that come with vitamin deficiencies especially D and Calcium.  Prior to my diagnosis-I was so utterly deficient in Vit. D and Calcium!  My number was so low once I got my blood levels tested with an endocrinologist (at the time the norm was a level of 40, and I was in the teens.  Now most doctors want your levels to be anywhere from 70 and up.  I do best when my levels are around 90).  And for those older, or even as young as your mid 30's-Osteoporosis (thinning of bone tissue and bone density over time) could become a concern over time whether it runs it the family or not and especially if you have Celiac Disease.  The same goes for cavities.  I notice that when my Vitamin D and Cal...

Another fabulous spot that caters to those whom are gluten-free!  This by no means is a gluten-free restaurant, but the chef (John Keller) and wait-staff and even the owner are very savvy!  I attended my sister's bday party last year at this fine Lower East Side dig and uber popular lounge.  We sat down and I immediately noticed the menu was asian fusion and sharing.  Sh*t I thought.  But then when I mentioned this to the waitress she went to ask the chef and she came back with a list written on a piece of paper that I actually still have and had taped it to my desk.  I will share it with you.  (see below, the list). This restaurant is located on 107 Rivington between Ludlow and Essex, right in the Rivington Hotel. A post long overdue, and a fabulous restaurant that needs recognition! Here is the NO GLUTEN list from the chef on the  Dinner Menu Fluke Crude Tuna Salad Kale Caeser Beet and Goat Cheese Salad Baby Octop...

**found in September 2011 Real Simple Magazine 1. Roasted Grape and Ricotta Crostini Toss whole red grapes with olive oil, fresh thyme springs, salt and pepper and roast at 450 degrees until their skins burst, 7-9 minutes.  Slather slices of GF grilled country bread with ricotta, top with the grapes, and drizzle with olive oil; season with salt and pepper. 2.  Arugula, Fennel and Grape Salad Toss arugula, thinly sliced fennel, halved red or green grapes and crumbled blue (if you can tolerate) or Feta or Goat cheese with olive oil and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. 3.  Wild Rice and Grape Salad Toss cooked GF wild rice with chopped pecans, sliced green or red grapes, chopped flat-leaf parsley, olive oil, cider vinegar (recipe calls for red wine vinegar); season with salt and pepper. 4.  Grape Tart Fill a pre-baked GF tart or pie crust shell with vanilla pudding.  sprinkle with red and green grapes and chill until firm.  D...