What do you want to see more of on Gluten Free in Utah?

Please participate in the poll on the sidebar to the right. You can select as many answers as you want.

Also, please leave me any comments to let me know what you like/dislike about this blog, what you'd like to see more of, anything you're struggling with on the gluten free diet, etc.

The poll will be open until the end of this month (May 31st).

Thanks!

Gluten Free Baked Goods for Christmas

Against the Grain is taking orders for holiday goodies until December 19th.

Contact information for Against The Grain:
2292 West 5400 South, Taylorsville, Utah 84118
• Phone: (801) 955-4418
• Fax: (801) 955-4323

Place your order soon for:
Sugar Cookies - 1 dz $9.00
Sugar Cookies w/frosting on the side - 1 dz $9.00
Pumpkin Pie - 10-inch - $10.99
Apple Pie - 10-inch - $11.99
Cherry Pie - 10-inch - $11.99
Pecan Pie - 10-inch - $12.99
Key Lime Pie - 10-inch - $12.99
Dinner Rolls - 1 dz $5.50
Pie Shells - 10-inch or dough balls (for a top) $5.00

YUM!!!

(Info from the facebook group: Gluten Free in Utah County. Go join! Also, I've started up a "Gluten Free in Utah" facebook group. I haven't done anything with it yet, but it would be great to get up and going, so go join that too!)

Planning a Big Vacation?

Consider going on a Disney Cruise.

I've been blessed to have been twice.
The first time for my honeymoon and then 2 years later with my in-laws (we got a great deal).

My first Cruise

The first time I went I was still pretty new to the gluten free diet. I didn't do any planning ahead of time, but it didn't matter. The Disney Crew (what they call the staff on the ship) was very accommodating. The second time I went I let them know ahead of time that I was on a special diet and then I mentioned it again to my waiter the first night.

Everything was wonderful!
Not only was everyone extremely helpful in showing me what did and did not contain gluten at the buffet (they recommend not doing the buffet because of contamination issues from other passengers, but I insisted), but they also made food specially gluten free just for me! They made special sauces and pancakes that were delicious and there was a plate full of hot gluten free rolls for me at each dinner!

Second cruise. See how happy I am at dinner?

And when my husband ordered a sandwich for me (through the free room service) he asked that it have no bread because I can't have gluten (the way we usually order my food). They brought me a sandwich made from gluten free bread!!!

I should have asked them what products and/or recipes they were using because everything was so good (and we all know that not all gluten free products are even worth putting in our mouth)!

I could go on and on about it, but I'll just let you read this article about another couples experience on a Disney Cruise (found in the Celiac Central Newsletter). They even met with the executive chef of their cruise and learned some interesting facts:

Disney Cruise Line: Gluten-Free Grown-Up Fun!

P.S. Everything else about the cruise was fun too ;).

I'll be back, Betty Crocker, and Chex...

I swear I'm going to continue with this blog someday! I even have a ton of pictures and recipes ready to be put into a post... I just haven't had the time (nor motivation) to do so. I'm having a baby any day now and I've been busy busy busy getting ready (and my 21 month old keeps me plenty busy on her own). I promise I'll continue with this blog, I just can't say when. Hopefully within the month.

I'm also trying to figure out exactly what direction I want to take with it and as of right now I don't think I'm going to have anyone else be permanent writers on it. But I will take guest writers and I can do links to your blogs if you have a great post you've written on your own blog.


And just so that this is a semi-helpful post as far as gluten free goes:

Betty Crocker sells mixes and they are delicious!!!! Well, at least the brownie mix is. My mom found it in Highland at Kohlers. I haven't checked any stores near me yet. If you see it in your stores, feel free to comment where you saw it. I believe the brownie and cookie mixes are around $5 and the white and chocolate cake mixes are $4. Not way cheap, but not terrible. And seriously. So. Good. Click here to find them in a store near you.


Also, I have now seen all of the new gluten free Chex flavors. There's (of course) rice and corn Chex, as well as Honey-nut, Strawberry, Chocolate, and Cinammon. My personal favorites are Honey-nut and Cinammon. Actually, I haven't tried Strawberry yet, but my sister likes it. It's hit and miss where I've been able to find these. All of them except Strawberry have been in the Centerville Wal-mart. I'm not the biggest fan of the Chocolate, but it's my friends favorite, especially as a munchy snack without milk. My husband and daughter also like the chocolate. So basically you need to try them all for yourself to find your favorite. I love General Mills!

Great Comment from Reader

I wanted to post this comment from a reader, Jay. He has a lot of good information about restaurants in Utah and how to place special orders to ensure there is no cross-contamination. I also like that it shows the different levels of gluten sensitivity there are out there.

Jay said:

"I tried Wendy's twice, once ordering minus the bun and got very sick and once a salad. I'll pass as I am too sensative for this and it is not worth the risk of cross contamination for me.

Some other restaurants that I've eaten at and not gotten sick is Chipotle Mexican Grill in Sandy. At the counter while ordering I explain my situation, they change their gloves at my request and wash their hands. They put my items on foil and make it separate from my family's or anyone else. I have never gotten sick there.

McGrath's Seafood in Sandy also has worked well for me. They have a gluten free menu and I have eaten there over 20 times. Once time they brought bread out and they redid the entire meal when I explained I could not eat it then.

Some say Five Guys Burger and Fries but I'll pass. I watch them put my paddies on a bun and then take them off. That's enough to make me sick so I asked if they would redo and got a hassle look. They did it but I don't trust them as their workers don't understand and just follow a process. They do cook their meat separate from their buns (two separate grills).

My other favorite restaurant is Z'Tehas Southwestern Grill. I haven't gotten sick there once and great food.

Some say Pei Wei is GF and they have a GF menu but their preparation worries me. They make it in a wok that is the same as they use for Gluten meals and for those who are sensative this just doesn't work. I tried them and got sick, that was enough for me.

Pei Wei, Five Guys and Chipotle are located in Sandy by the Pets Smart off of Hwy 89/State Street across from the mall. Of them I only go to Chipotle as stated above."

Note: In another comment Jay mentions that he won't eat at Taco Bell either because they have serious cross-contamination issues.

I can eat at both Wendy's and Pei Wei, but probably because I'm not very sensitive to cross-contamination. You need to be your own judge of what your body can and can't handle.

About Me

I've started blogging on a great website called Crazi Beautiful Women. Everyone should check it out! My section is under Culinary Entertainment in the Girlfriend to Girlfriend section. Here's the first post I did to introduce myself:

Hi! My name is Bethany. I am a stay-at-home-mom to a darling 15-month-old girl with another baby on the way (due Aug. 27). I have many passions in life. One of them is learning more about living a gluten-free lifestyle and helping others to do the same. This became a passion just a few years ago (the summer of 2006) when I discovered I was gluten intolerant (and possibly have Celiac disease). I discovered this right in the middle of dating my future husband. We were married February 2007 and had our sweet daughter 9 months later.

I’m not going to lie and say the past 2 ½ years of being gluten-free has been a breeze. It’s actually been a roller coaster ride. It was tough at first and then I got pregnant and it was even harder (it seemed like all my cravings were for gluten-filled foods that I couldn’t have). But it did get better - almost easy. After awhile, I stopped craving foods that has gluten in them, plus I learned tricks on how to eat gluten-free without feeling like I was missing out. Now that I’m pregnant again, the cravings are back (though not as bad as the first time), but the benefits of living a gluten-free lifestyle are worth it.

My hope is that my posts will be able to help others who are living (or should be living) a gluten-free lifestyle either because they have Celiac disease, a gluten intolerance, or just want to improve their health through the diet. I plan on posting recipes, gluten-free product reviews, info on Celiac disease/gluten intolerance, tips on making living gluten-free easier, info on the best restaurants in Utah to eat gluten-free, and more.

I understand that finding out you can’t have gluten can be extremely difficult and I want to be as much of a support as I can. If you have any questions, please ask away. I’d love to base my posts on what readers want to know most about. Like I said at the beginning, the gluten-free lifestyle has become a passion of mine, especially helping to make it easier for others.

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