Gluten-Free Pizza

Meet the Bella Monica Gluten-Free Family

You hear Trevor talking all the time, but have you ever actually laid eyes on this dynamic pizza man? Check out this awesome video featuring none other than Bella Monica's Trevor Chambers as well as Chef Corbett Monica and some loving neighbors!

Green Banana Flour? Yes, a Great Gluten-Free Option!

Have you ever thought about a gluten-free pasta made from banana flour?  Well a new study from Brazil suggests that gluten-free pasta made from banana flour could be tastier, healthier, and cheaper to produce than many other gluten-free options.

Out of 75 taste testers both celiacs and non-celiacs chose the banana flour pasta as superior.  "For banana growers and pasta product makers, there is the possibility of diversifying and expanding their market," said lead author Renata Puppin Zandonadi, PhD, from the Department of Nutrition, University of Brazil.

Read more: http://www.medicaldaily.com/news/20120623/10424/celiac-disease-green-banana-pasta.htm

Chuck E. Cheese Offers Gluten-Free Options

Kids time just got a little easier!  Major kid outing joint Chuck E. Cheese has announced plans to test gluten-free options at some locations.  If all goes well, the gluten-free menu will be available in more locations and they may even test throwing gluten-free birthday parties!

The gluten-free offerings include pre-packaged gluten-free pizza and gluten-free cupcakes that are made in a completely gluten-free facility to avoid cross contamination.

Sounds like a great plan! Read more: http://www.chicagonow.com/gladly-gluten-free/2012/06/chuck-e-cheeses-gets-on-the-gluten-free-bandwagon-news-nibbles-monday/

Gluten-Free Labels Become Easier for Consumers to Identify

Today's food marketplace has a myriad of products all aimed at making a life a little easier on the gluten-free dieter!

People want to know what's in their food and companies are stepping up to the plate with more labels than ever before touting "gluten-free" on the front. Bella Monica Gluten-Free Pizza is proud to be one of the companies clearly labeling products for consumers to identify on store shelves.

Read more: http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/get-healthy/nutrition/gluten-free-diets-are-easier-to-follow-in-today-s/article_9088ae68-873f-5ecc-999d-d56be8505c8c.html

Gluten-Free at Hotel Breakfasts

Travelers are asking if it's possible to navigate a hotel breakfast buffet on a gluten-free diet? Answer?  It can be difficult but it's not impossible.  

Complimentary breakfast buffets at lower budges hotels have gradually been improving.  Many now offer fresh fruits and yogurts that are gluten-free but will still offer a myriad of pastries and other goodies that could have gotten crumbs spread around.  One option is to call the hotel before you arrive and see if they can provide a gluten-free option for you.

Other options are eating naturally gluten-free like trying to find a banana and put peanut butter on it as many buffets have individually wrapped small peanut butters.

Read more: http://travel.usatoday.com/hotels/post/2012/06/tripadvisor-column-celiac-disease-gluten-free-in-hotels/717543/1

Helping Kids Stay Gluten-Free

How do you teach your kids to eat gluten-free?  Focus on these tips and hopefully they can make an easy transition!

First, you want to focus on what they CAN eat and not on what they can't.  There is plenty of fabulous and naturally gluten-free food to enjoy so they don't feel deprived.  Second, it helps if they are a part of the menu planning and cooking process.  They can get excited about making food and understanding what goes into it. 

Other advice is to arrange your kitchen so kids know what shelf they can eat from if you keep food they can't eat in the house.  This way they don't confuse gluten-free pretzels with regular pretzels and know right where to go for that yummy snack.

Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/diet/Celiac-disease-Teaching-kids-how-to-go-gluten-free/articleshow/14053358.cms

Senator Being Sued Over Gluten-Free Labeling

People are taking their gluten-free labeling seriously!  CEO and celiac disease sufferer Tim Lawson is suing Utah Senator Orin Hatch for obstructing FDA progress on gluten-free labeling standards.

Though lawmakers doubt that the lawsuit will hold up in court it sheds light that people are anxious for industry standards on gluten-free labeling and are tired of the FDA taking their sweet time to provide a simple solution.

Read more: http://www.celiac.com/articles/22938/1/New-Grains-CEO-Sues-Utah-Senator-Over-Inaction-on-Gluten-Free-Labeling/Page1.html

A Mom's Story of Helping Her Gluten-Free Child

Check out this story from one mom who didn't have to go gluten-free but ate a gluten-free diet for the benefit of her daughter who was diagnosed with a gluten allergy. 

After beginning the diet the child's symptoms such as her eczema, breathing, gastro, and puffiness issues cleared up, but the mother began to experience an adverse weight gain.  She has some advice for eating healthy gluten-free and on checking products for good nutrition as opposed to some of the high fat and sugar one often finds in gluten-free packaged food.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/missy-chase-lapine/gluten-free_b_1538003.html

Bella Monica Chats Live with UNFI! Watch the Clip!

Bella Monica rockstars Corbett Monica and Trevor Chambers sit down with UNFI (United Natural Foods) to talk about their amazing gluten-free pizzas! Check out the clip now!