Anyone From New Zealand?

[NZ Gluten Free Chick]

Hi I'm new here and live in Blenheim, New Zealand.

Just wondering if anyone out there is from New Zealand? Would love a support buddy as I don't know anyone here with Celiac

Thanks

[mushroom]

There don't seem to be many Kiwis around at present -- I think I am the only (identified) one although there may be lurkers.

Blenheim would make shopping quite hard - you might find an occasional trip to Nelson worthwhile (if you happen to be heading that way ) -- I would imagine there would be more variety there. Places are kinda hard to find in Christchurch right now

[NZ Gluten Free Chick]

That is a shame there is not more of us

I can imagine it would be very hard in chch at the mo with lots of places shut down. I haven't been there since the earthquakes so can only imagine how terrible it would be.

Yeah shopping here is very limited unfortunely . There is about one shelf at each supermarket with a gluten free range. And I've heard that food here is a lot more expensive then other places in NZ, say the North Island. Looking at going to Nelson this weekend so would be keen to have a look around there.

I am still adjusting to being gluten/lactose free though so finding it hard to come up with ideas for meals. Are there any brands which are gluten free which are really reliable?

[mushroom]

  On 10/10/2011 at 10:14 PM, NZ Gluten Free Chick said:

That is a shame there is not more of us

I can imagine it would be very hard in chch at the mo with lots of places shut down. I haven't been there since the earthquakes so can only imagine how terrible it would be.

Yeah shopping here is very limited unfortunely . There is about one shelf at each supermarket with a gluten free range. And I've heard that food here is a lot more expensive then other places in NZ, say the North Island. Looking at going to Nelson this weekend so would be keen to have a look around there.

I am still adjusting to being gluten/lactose free though so finding it hard to come up with ideas for meals. Are there any brands which are gluten free which are really reliable?

Those I mentioned in my other post, Orgran, Free From, Simple, are all very reliable. You can buy Venerdi's and Dovedale bread (although they are both poor subs - you do have to toast them, not good for making a sandwick unless it's a toasted sandwich ) I was just talking to my gluten free housesitter and she says there is a Binn Inn in Nelson, where you can buy all the gluten free grains, muesli, breadcrumbs and who knows what, depending on the particular Binn Inn. You will always find someone there knowledgeable in gluten free who can help you and in tact they often hold gluten free cooking classes at the one in New Brighton. Venerdi's makes a 'toasting Bap' which, when spread with cream cheese, you can almost imagine is a bagel Go on line and google Nelson gluten free and see what comes up - you might be surprised (no, I haven't done it). Also google ordering gluten free foods online - sometimes if you live in somewhat of an outpost like you do the shipping charges are worth paying rather than the petrol rates at current prices.

I would suggest that you get a slow cooker if you don't already have one. They are fabulous for being able to chuck in some browned meat, some browned onions, some veggies, taters or rice, and let her go. Presto, dinner ready when you want it, gluten free. Try to avoid as much as possible buying food in boxes, it is expensive and you are more likely to find cross-contamination. A word to the wise: in EnZed you do have to check all sausages, bacon, ham, cold cuts for gluten, and I wouldn't buy the shaved ham because even if it is inherently gluten free it has probably been "shaved" on the same slicer as the gluten stuff. I either go to a private butcher or buy Verkerk's leg ham (all Verkerks products are gluten free. Kiwi bacon (every one I have found) and also Hellers are gluten free. I have pastas in my pantry made by Orgran, de Boles, Buon Appetit, Mrs. Leepers, and there are others I don't do because they have other of my forbidden foods, so there is plenty of pasta choice. There are plenty of recipes on here for pizza crust - I haven't found anything in the stores here I would bother with, although you can get gluten free pizza from some pizzerias

Good luck with your gluten free transition and just holler if you have any questions at all - like how to prevent your family from contaminating you