Gluten-Free Pizza

Gluten-Free Beer...Check the Label

There are some brands of gluten-free beer that are amazing!  Bard's Beer or a Redbridge anyone? Those are the real deal....

However, a new report suggest that some beers claiming to be gluten-free may actually contain levels of gluten that are beyond a safe limit for people living with celiac disease.

Make sure when you are drinking beer you check that it is labeled 100% gluten-free and not just "low-gluten."

Read more: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/family-health/allergy-and-asthma/articles/2011/12/28/some-gluten-free-beers-really-arent-study

Holiday Treats From Our House to Yours!

Is Santa gluten-free in your household?  If he is and you are looking for some fun treats to set out on Christmas eve for the jolly man, take a look at these great recipes to make with the kids!

Check out the delicious peanut butter balls, gingerbread cookies, and peppermint candy cane cookies, all gluten-free!

Read more: http://www.chicagonow.com/gladly-gluten-free/2011/12/gluten-free-and-dairy-free-holiday-cookies-even-santa-will-love/

Celebrity Chefs Offer Gluten-Free Options

Check it out! While Bella Monica Restaurant has been dedicated to our gluten-free customers for many years, we're always happy to see when more options are becoming available for our gluten-free friends. This week we wanted to point out how some of our culinary role models are taking steps to help folks eat safely in their restaurants too!

Take a look at this article that features Chefs Guy Fier, Ming Tsai and Thomas Keller and how they have begun working on creating gluten-free options in their restaurants. http://delightglutenfree.com/hot-shots-culinary-celebrities-tackle-gluten-free-dining.

And, HAPPPPPPPPY HOLIDAYS to all of our loyal readers! We hope you have a wonderful holiday celebration that's filled with delicious gluten-free goodies!

Tips for a Healthy Holiday Host

Here are some great tips on how to throw an amazing gluten-free holiday party!  

You can make fantastic and decorated baked goods that bring the spirit of the holidays without the gluten.

One piece of advice if you are using a gluten-free baking mix is to make sure that other ingredients you may want to throw in are also gluten-free - many candies contain gluten or are processed on machinery that also processes gluten.

Read more about staying safe during the holidays here: http://www.concordmonitor.com/article/299509/gluten-free-holidays?SESS131b5be1375129e3909d996683438bb8=google&page=full

Tips for a Healthy, Happy Holiday Season

Enjoy these great tips from gluten-free expert Carol Fenster who wants to help you eat delicious food but keep off the pounds during the holiday season!

Fenster suggests advice such as monitoring your caloric intake for the day (i.e. if you know you are going to a party at night, eat light during the day), and learning the calorie counts of the food you eat, especially if you are new to eating gluten-free.

Fenster also clarifies that many fried and unhealthy foods often contain gluten which can help you stay away, but if you do find that a fried food happens to be gluten-free it will contain just as many calories as regular fried food.

Have a healthy and happy holiday and learn more from Carol now at: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2011/12/20/prweb9052561.DTL

Study Finds Gluten-Free Dining Options on the Rise

Wow!  Restaurant owners are noticing the fast increasing numbers of gluten-free dieters and have responded by increasing gluten-free menu item options by 61% between 2010 and 2011.

A new report on consumer and industry trends as related to specific diets by the company Technomic shows that 73% of people want more information about the food they eat out at restaurants so they can monitor how much fat, sugar, and sodium they put in their bodies as well as allergen information.

Read more: http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/163881/gluten-free-menu-items-up-61.html

Europe Secures Universal Gluten-Free Symbol

Great news from Europe!!  The leading celiac group in the UK has managed to secure a Europe-wide agreement that promotes one universal front of pack symbol for all gluten-free products!

This will make it much easier and less confusing for consumers buying gluten-free goods. A recent survey found that 80% of consumers found the universal logo very helpful.  Let's get this done in the US!

Read more: http://www.bakeryinfo.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/9424/Europe_to_get_universal_gluten-free_symbol_for_packs.html

A Very Personal Look at Life with Celiac Disease

Have you ever felt like "that girl?" You know, the one who is different and feels like an outcast? To help others understand what she felt like when starting a gluten-free diet, UC Berkley student Candice Bonaduce created a digital story detailing her emotions as she struggled with living with celiac disease.

Watch the video now: