Recap of 2016 CDF National Conference & Gluten-Free Expo!

Last weekend, mom and I attended the 2016 CDF (Celiac Disease Foundation) National Conference and Gluten-Free Expo in Pasadena, CA…what an incredible experience! I honestly don’t even know where to begin? The conference itself featured dozens of speakers throughout the morning and afternoon (I swear, just about every single one of them had either an MD or PhD at the end of their names!!), and the topics addressed by these experts included everything from “The Science Behind the HYPE” of Celiac Disease and the possible links between Celiac and “Depression, Anxiety and ADHD,” to the current “Trends in Gluten-Free Nutrition” and whether “Strict Adherence to a Gluten-Free Diet is Enough.” My head was literally spinning (and my brain was completely exhausted) by the end of the day! It was a lot of information to process, but it also made me realize how much we truly DON’T know yet. One of the biggest, and most recurring messages of the day was that there is still a huge need for much more research to be done. We are only beginning to understand this disease and everything that it means for us.

Which is precisely the reason that CDF is launching iCureCeliac, “a patient-powered research network dedicated to enhancing and accelerating research efforts to better understand and ultimately cure celiac disease.” If you have Celiac Disease, I HIGHLY recommend you take a moment to read about this incredible study, and make the decision to participate in the online survey. It takes a bit of time to answer all the questions, but it is SO worth it.

As for the Gluten-Free Expo that accompanied the conference, all I can say is, WOW!!! So much gluten-free goodness in one place! More than 100 GF products were featured at the expo (many of which are brand new and haven’t even hit the shelves yet), and I think we brought home samples of just about ALL of them…plus, I’m pretty sure I gained at least 5 pounds just from all the free tastings we got during the expo!

One company that really stood out is a gluten-free bread company called “Bread Srsly” out of San Fancisco, CA. I seriously wanted to CRY when I tasted their sourdough dinner rolls. Honestly, they tasted just like the dinner rolls I LOVED as a kid…before I was diagnosed. So, so good!! And could these ladies be any cuter?!?!? I know, right? 😉 Oh, yeah, I almost forgot the best part…ALL of their products are free of not only gluten, but also dairy, egg, soy, nut, potato, tapioca, and garbanzo. HOW do they do it? I have no idea. But I don’t really care, just as long as they keep doing it. 😉 As of right now, they don’t have a location here in Las Vegas that carries their bread, but you can order online with just a $5 flat-rate shipping fee. Woohoo!! Seriously (SRSLY…get it???), you just GOTTA check out this company!! http://www.breadsrsly.com

 

Oh, there was one more super-awesome-totally-cool thing that happened this weekend…mom and I were invited to attend the Bloggers’ Dinner hosted by Enjoy Life Foods at Real Food Daily. We arrived on Saturday evening, shortly after the conference ended, and knew immediately we were in for a great night. First of all, the restaurant was incredible. Real Food Daily features an amazing organic, plant-based menu that you would never know is also healthy, because everything tastes so dang yummy! LOL There are tons of gluten-free options to choose from. Mom and I enjoyed the Not-Chos, Seaside Fries, and Mexico City Tacos…all completely vegan, gluten-free and super delish. We even got to have a big ‘ol slice of GF chocolate fudge cake for dessert! But the best part is that we got to spend the evening with Scott Mandell, the CEO/founder of Enjoy Life Foods! I have LONG been a fan of Enjoy Life Foods, with their huge array of delicious GF products, and it was truly an honor to meet the man behind it all and hear his story. A big thank you to Scott, Jamie Siegel & Kathleen Shannon of Enjoy Life Foods, and to Gillian Entin from CDF, for organizing such a fantastic event!!!!

This blog post first appeared on our companion website, Gluten Free In Las Vegas, HERE!

2016 CDF National Conference & Gluten-Free Expo!

 

Hi everyone!

“Gluten Free In Las Vegas” is super excited to be among the Official Bloggers for the 2016 Celiac Disease Foundation National Conference & Gluten-Free Expo!! The Conference will be Saturday, April 30th (7:30am-3:30pm) and the 2-Day Expo will be held both Saturday (April 30) and Sunday (May 1) in Pasadena, CA (from 10am-4pm). A few years back, mom and I went to one of these gluten-free conference/expos in CA and had such a GREAT time. So we are completely psyched to make the road trip from Vegas again this year!!! Hey, maybe we can even organize a whole group to go down from Las Vegas together…who’s up for it?!?!? 😉

The Celiac Disease Foundation is a non- profit, public benefit organization dedicated to providing services and support regarding celiac disease and gluten sensitivity through programs of awareness, education, advocacy and research. And if you’ve never been to one of their conference/expos before, it really is worth the trip!

This annual event attracts nearly 3,000 people each year and comes complete with educational seminars, gluten-free cooking demonstrations, book signings, food tastings, lectures with top researchers, and a HUGE EXPO featuring more than 100 gluten-free companies with tons of FREE, yummy samples (including a bunch of NEW gluten-free products that haven’t even hit the shelves yet)!!! Plus, if you register for the Conference, you get breakfast and lunch provided on Saturday…imagine, eating 2 meals away from home and not even having to THINK about whether it’s safe to eat or not? That’s worth the price of admission right there!! LOL

CLICK HERE to find out more about the 2016 CDF National Conference & Gluten-Free Expo, and HERE TO REGISTER for this incredible event…we hope to see you there!

THE GLUTEN FREE CHEAT SHEET…On Sale Now!!

Hey everyone!

I am super excited to let you know that April Peveteaux’s new book “THE GLUTEN FREE CHEAT SHEET: Go G-Free in 30 Days or Less” was officially released TODAY! Woohooo!!!

Okay, for those who don’t happen to know who April is (maybe you are a gluten-free newbie, or you’ve had a serious case of gluten-induced brain fog the past couple of years), allow me to explain. April Peveteaux is one of the the bomb-diggity-est coolest bloggers in the gluten-free world…she also happens to be the author of one of my other favorite GF books, “GLUTEN IS MY BITCH.” Seriously, if you don’t already follow her BLOG, you really should! She posts tons of tips and advice for those of us relegated to this wonderful (eh-hem) gluten-free lifestyle, and she also happens to be freakin’ hysterical! Her NEW book is filled with incredibly useful info for GF newbies and veterans alike, and includes TONS of different gluten-free recipes for things like Hushpuppies, Crab Cakes, Coconut Flour Tortillas, Parmesan Popovers, Sugar Cookie Cheesecake, Deep-Fried Chocolate Cream Cookies, and much, much more!!!

“In addition to 100 delicious and simple recipes, The Gluten-Free Cheat Sheet is the gluten-free consumer’s guide to survival, tackling issues like myths & facts about gluten and how to eat safely out at restaurants as a celiac.” ~ Keely B. Platte, Penguin Random House Publishing

Here’s a rundown of the chapters included:

1. The Problem With Gluten: Who What and Why
2. A Quick Lesson in What Foods to Avoid and What to Eat Instead
3. Can’t Someone Else Just Cook For Me
4. Depression, Anxiety, and General Crankiness
5. How To Rock Your First 30 Days
6. Basic Gluten-Free Cooking Methods and GF Pantry Essentials
7. Your 30-Day Meal Plan
8. Recipes, Recipes, Recipes!!

It also includes a huge list of resources at the back of book (support group info, gluten-free brands you can trust, list of GF conferences, other gluten-free books, a list of gluten-free restaurant chains, etc), PLUS an entire section listing gluten-free bloggers and websites you can trust…and GUESS WHO got listed. Um, we did!!! That’s right, OUR WEBSITE is the recommended site for Las Vegas, NV! How totally cool is that!?!?!? 🙂

On top of that, I was able to get an advance copy of the book, which gave me the opportunity to field test a couple of the recipes!!! We decided to try out one of the dinner recipes and one of the drink recipes. Oh, did I forget to tell you she also includes several “adult beverage” recipes in the book? Oh yeah…does she ever! Recipes for a Hibiscus Gimlet, Limoncello, Jalapeño Margarita, The Perfect G&T, Lillet Blanc Martini, and a Raspberry Vodka Refresher (which is what the hubby and I decided to make).

RASPBERRY VODKA REFRESHER
The world’s easiest summer cocktail that also has next to zero calories. I put this together when I was bartending in New York. It’s fizzy, fruity, and boozy. A winning combination on a hot day!

PREP TIME: 5 minutes
MAKES: 1 serving

• crushed ice
• 2 ounces Raspberry Stoli
• juice of 1 lime
• 4 ounces seltzer
• raspberries for garnish
• lime wedge for garnish.

1. Fill Collins glass with crushed ice. Pour Raspberry Stoli over ice and add lime juice and seltzer. Stir once.
2. Serve with 2 to 3 raspberries dropped in glass and lime wedge.

This is a picture of how our drinks looked…just before we downed them…in about 3 minutes. LOL It really is the perfect summer drink. And truth be told, we didn’t splurge for the Stoli Vodka, but I’d say the brand we got was just as YUMMY!

As for the DINNER, we decided to test out April’s recipe for gluten-free Asian Pork Chops…

ASIAN PORK CHOPS
A quick, easy, and flavorful dinner that you’ll go back to again and again, these pork chops are a winner whether you fry, grill, or broil.

PREP TIME: 5 minutes + 30 minutes marinating time
COOK TIME: 10 minutes
MAKES: 4 servings

• 4 center-cut pork chops
• 2 tablespoons wheat-free tamari
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon powdered ginger
• salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. At room temperature, marinate pork chops in wheat-free tamari and sesame oil for at least ½ hour before cooking.
2. Preheat grill for 5 minutes on high, or turn on broiler.
3. Before you transfer pork chops to grill or slide into broiler, sprinkle with powdered ginger, salt, and pepper.
4. Cook pork chops 4 to 5 minutes per side. Remove from heat and allow to stand for 5 minutes before serving.

We decided to pair it with our own recipe for Asian Sauteed String Beans and Mushrooms, along with some Garlic Mashed Potatoes…and it was complete awesomeness on a plate!!!

I honestly cannot WAIT to try out some of her other recipes from the book…they all look incredible and, most importantly, EASY-TO-MAKE. Thanks, April…for the new book, and for everything you do for the gluten-free community…we really do love you. 😉

THE GLUTEN FREE CHEAT SHEET by April Peveteaux is available NOW on Amazon.com...order your copy TODAY!!!

GLUTEN-FREE RECIPE OF THE MONTH: Stovetop Hamburger Casserole

PREPARATION TIME: 10 Minutes
COOKING TIME: 25 Minutes

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 medium-size onion
• 2 carrots, diced
• 1/2 pkg frozen edamame, shelled
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper (to taste, or optional)
• 6-8 oz uncooked gluten-free pasta (approx 2 cups)
• 3 1/2 cups of water
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch or potato starch
• 2 tablespoons water

PROCEDURE

1. Place ground beef (or turkey) in a skillet. Cook over medium heat until the beef is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain off excess fat, if any.
2. Add diced onions & carrots to the pan and cook until onion softens a little.
3. Add edamame & remaining ingredients, except the cornstarch & 2 tablespoons of water, in the order given. Stir well to blend. Bring to a boil.
4. Lower heat, cover, and simmer until the noodles are very tender, approximately 20 minutes.
5. Once the noodles are tender, stir the starch and 2 tablespoons of water in a cup. Add to the pan and stir gently to thicken the remaining liquid.

Recipe adapted from the book “You Won’t Believe It’s Gluten-Free” by Roben Ryberg

Originally posted on our companion website HERE!

2015 Las Vegas Gluten and Allergen-Free Wellness Event Review!

A few weeks ago, on Saturday, April 18th, the Suncoast Hotel in Summerlin played host to Nikki Everett and the Gluten & Allergen-Free Wellness Event….and it was a HUGE success! Incredible speakers, awesome vendors, and TONS of delicious gluten-free food to sample!!!

Here are a couple of my FAVORITE GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS from the day:

BRAZI BITES (BRAZILIAN CHEESE BREAD)

• Okay, first of all, the Brazi Bites (specifically the Jalapeño Pepper Jack flavor!!) would have to be the absolute BEST thing I tasted all day! And that’s saying a lot, because there were so many yummy things at this expo. But seriously, these are AMAZING! Purchase online or look for them in the freezer section of Sprouts, Fresh & Easy, and Whole Foods.

Brazi Bites is on a mission to share Brazilian Cheese Bread with the U.S.! Naturally gluten-free, non-gmo, made with 100% natural ingredients and ready to bake. Brazi Bites Brazilian Cheese Bread (pão de queijo in Portuguese) go straight from the freezer to the oven and are ready to enjoy in just 20 minutes.

With a crispy crust and fluffy center they are great for parties, family gatherings, game day, or just as part of an everyday meal. Try them on their own or paired with your favorite meats, cheeses, soups and spreads.

NoGii (Gluten-Free Solutions for Healthy Families) by Elisabeth Hasselbeck

• My 2nd favorite gluten-free finds from the event all came from Elisabeth Hasselbeck & NoGii (gluten-free solutions for healthy families). I had seen the protein bars at Walgreens, but never tried them before. Oh my goodness, they are COMPLETELY DELISH!! I had no idea they would be that good. The Chocolate Caramel Bliss Protein D’lites may possibly be my new ALL-TIME FAVORITE go-to snack…with only 120 calories and 7 grams of protein, these little goodies pack a punch!  The Cookies & Crème Super Protein Bar, with an incredible 29 grams of protein(!!!!), is now my husband’s favorite quick-and-easy meal replacement. We also got a sample of their brand NEW Whey & Quinoa Protein Powder (160 calories and 20 grams of protein), and today we made some yummy mixed-berry smoothies with it…seriously good stuff. WE are super excited about ALL their products! And the best part? You can find them at places like Walgreens, CVS, and even Walmart!!

NoGii Bars were created to provide a NO GLUTEN alternative for active lifestyles. Whether you are on-the-go, at play, or in the gym, NoGii bars are formulated to give you and your family good, clean, gluten-free nutritional food choices.

NO GLUTEN
NO HIGH FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP
NO TRANS FAT
NO HYDROGENATED OILS
IDEAL BALANCE OF PROTEIN/FAT/CARBS

Here are some of our INSTAGRAM PHOTOS from that day (along with my comments, links, hashtags, etc.), featuring my favorite vendors at the event:

Chandice Probst & “Gluten-Free on a Budget” here @GFAFWellness Event today…recipes look AMAZING!! #GFAFEvent

Are these 2 from LIVING LUXE GLUTEN FREE @lvlxglutenfree the cutest couple ever or what!?! 😉 Living Luxe Cookbook with Gluten Free AND Lactose Free recipes!! #GFAFEvent

The Digest-Zen from @doterra absolutely SAVED me this morning after getting a little glutened last night at dinner…thank you!!! http://www.doterra.com

YUMMY samples from @GlutinoFoods at the @GFAFWellness Event! GF Chocolate Covered Wafers & Salted Caramel Covered Pretzels, oh MY!!! #GFAFEvent

LOVE @GreatGrubbing!! So excited to see them at the @GFAFWellness Event!!! If you haven’t visited GREAT GRUBBING in Henderson yet, RUN don’t walk…100% gluten-free!! 🙂 #GFAFEvent

The Gluten & Grain Free Gourmet is in the HOUSE!!! Follow Jen @ggfgourmet and check out her awesome story, recipes & products!!! #GFAFEvent

You gotta check out the FABULOUS desserts from UR SWEET MADNESS! Chef @pastryjackie is AWESOME!!! 🙂 #GFAFEvent

LOVING the Tropico’s Cereal from FREEDOM FOODS booth…tastes like an even BETTER version of Fruit Loops, but with lower sugar, lower salt & completely allergen free!!! #GFAFEvent

Tons of great samples from ENJOY LIFE FOODS here at @GFAFWellness Event in Vegas! ALL of their products are free of wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, egg, soy, fish, & shellfish, but shockingly NOT free of taste!! LOL Yummy! #GFAFEvent

There were 2 other products that we were given samples of that, I will admit, I have not had occasion to try yet (mostly because they involve cooking and/or baking, which I rarely have the time or patience to do anymore). LOL

The first is a Californian Tri-Tip Spice from Opa Helmut’s Pure Organic Seasonings.  Here’s some info I found online: “Founded in 2012 and based on recipes harkening back to 1875, Opa Helmut’s Rub offers six delectable spice blends and encourages foodies to explore a modern world of healthy German cooking. They are organic, gluten free, MSG free, and without preservatives. They are great for Tri Tips, Poultry, Pork and BBQ, Fish and Vegetables, Beef and Lamb, and Burgers. You can also use our spice blends as a rub or marinade, and for dips and dressings.”

The other product I have not had a chance to try is Mesquite Flour from Moody Orchards. Fortunately for YOU, the wonderful cook and author of LIVING LUXE GLUTEN FREE COOKBOOK, Michelle Lee, did a blog post recently all about cooking and baking with the Mesquite Flour…even including 3 recipes you can make using it. You can find that BLOG POST HERE. Thanks, Michelle!

So, there you have it. The 2015 Las Vegas Gluten & Allergen Free Wellness Event in a nutshell (an allergen-free nutshell, that is). I hope you found it useful. 🙂

For all things Gluten-Free in Las Vegas, please subscribe to our blog posts, keep in touch with us via our website, www.GlutenFreeInLasVegas.com, and connect with us on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, and INSTAGRAM.

May Is Celiac Awareness Month!

It is estimated that 83% of Americans with Celiac disease don’t even know they have it! Find out the facts…someone you love may be suffering from undiagnosed Celiac disease, which left undiagnosed and untreated can lead to any number of other Celiac related issues (infertility, depression, intestinal cancer, thyroid problems, chronic anxiety, delayed growth, osteoporosis, dermatitis herpetiformis, neurological disorders, chronic migraines, etc.). The good news is Celiac disease is 100% treatable with a strict gluten-free diet. Learn the facts. You can find out more information about Celiac disease at The Foundation for Celiac Awareness @ http://www.CeliacCentral.org

Please help us spread the word by posting and sharing the images below on social media!!

FACEBOOK COVER PHOTO
Right/click the image and choose “save image as…” then upload to your Facebook page and choose “Make Cover Photo”

INSTAGRAM PHOTO (OR PROFILE PIC)
Right/click the image and choose “save image as…” then upload to FACEBOOK, TWITTER or INSTAGRAM

THANKS! 🙂