tanyad

YAY! That sounds wonderful! Can't wait to try it!

I had heard about their Gluten Free menu, but not actually heard from any one who had tried it!

Have a great day!

Tanya in Chicago

Hello All,

There is a group in Chicago... its called the MetroCeliacs... We try to meet once a month with a cooking class, a potluck or easy meals, a speaker... and more... and then we also plan a Supper Club outing at Chicago restaurants once a month.

I am one of the two founders of the group. It has been a busy summer for myself as well as the other founder Jen. We are looking to have an event-filled Fall... Feel free to join us.

If you would like to see more about our group, check out our blog

Open Original Shared Link

And if you are interested in knowing more and getting on our evite list, please email Tanya and Jen at

MetroCeliacs@yahoo.com.

Hope you find some one near you! Have a great day!

Tanya

MetroCeliacs

Chicago

Hello Fellow Celiacs,

I was doing a search on a couple of items for my celiac friend... I did a google search (this is almost as common as calling manufacturers and such)... I came across this website list... and I think that a lot of information is incorrect.

I've been working at this diet for a couple of years, but not everyone has...

Open Original Shared Link

I was looking to find butterscotch chips (in the past I have used Hershey's, but I was looking for anything else that may be gluten free) and also York Peppermint patties... I personally have read the label and thought they were safe, but before I tell others, I always like to double check.

Anywho... When someone like myself, comes across inaccurate information on the web... what should I do? And are York Peppermint Patties gluten-free? What about HErshey's Butterscotch chips? Any other butterscotch chips?

Thank you for any feedback!

Tanya in Chicago

I'm in Chicago for a few weeks, and today we went to Da Luciano's in River Grove, which is just west of Chicago.

I didn't see anything posted about this place, but it's amazing! It's an italian restaurant, and they have an entire gluten-free menu.

I got fried calamari, garlic bread, ravioli and a cannoli! It was all so good. I haven't been this full in forever. The menu is huge. You can get almost anything gluten-free.

The service was also great. The owner came and talked to me, and she had me fill out my name and address for their gluten-free mailing list.

It IS a great place. I live in Chicago. Isn't fun to actually order that stuff off of the menu?! And their desserts are awesome. I had gluten-free tiramisu! Ahhh... It was wonderful!

The owner has 4 of her 7 kids that are celiac!

Glad you enjoyed it!

Tanya in Chicago

I'm not sure but I think I'm losing it! I could swear I was on the Kraft site last week and was looking at a pdf of gluten free products. I remember looking at the salad dressings and noticing that my favorite, sweet onion vinegarette was OK but Ceasar was not. Anyway, today I searched and searched on kraftcanada.com and kraft.com and could not get back to the same document. I kept getting a document that just generally explained how to read labels. I went to google and found a much shorter list of gluten free kraft products and then found a whole bunch of broken links to a document that doesn't exist anymore (presumably the one that I remember seeing before). Some of these broken links are even on this site.

I sent an email to Kraft to ask them what's going on. We'll see what they say. Has anyone else noticed this or looked into it?

Jodie

If you type in "gluten free" in the Kraft search box- upper right corner... it comes back with an allergies link... and it takes you to the file I think that you are looking for. I am not sure why they don't have a link from the main page.

Hope that helps.

Tanya in Chicago

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

I wanted to thank you lovely people for posting information. I printed off the restaurant list and brought it with me this past weekend for my LA trip!

The Stinking Rose was VERY DELICIOUS! And I enjoyed my first In-N-Out Burger: double-double protein style (no sauce or grilled onions). french fries, and a chocolate shake! I also tried out the Solar Harvest! It was super fun to have a menu in front of me with a selection of options that were gluten free-- And I went there twice so I could get another chocolate cubcake- no joke- gluten free!!! Wonderful! I also ate at a Chipotle next door to the Solar Harvest, for some hard shell tacos.

Thanks again for posting your info! It was very helpful.

Tanya - back home in Chicago

It's hard to say what would be safe. Is there any way to find out who is catering the wedding, and then ask them? It looks like they have some American and French dishes in there which worries me, because they might not be a strictly authentic Korean caterer. Offhand, I would say the kimichi is ok, as long as they don't put soy sauce in it, and the rice. I know that Korean food uses soy sauce a lot. I would eat before you get there, carry some larabars or something, and stick to the rice, but only if it's not contaminated by other spoons.

Good luck and have fun!

Thank you for your input. In the past I would have tried to get the caterer's info and contact them, but when contacting the groom with the food intollerances, the list is what he supplied... and I wouldn't want to inconvenience him. So, I will eat before and work it out.

Tanya in Chicago

Hello Fellow Celiacs-

You have been so helpful in the past...

I am going to a wedding this upcoming weekend, as a date (I do not know the wedding party)... I forwarded my food concerns to my boyfriend and he passed them on to his friend (the groom)... and the groom sent us the list of foods that will be on the buffet. The wedding party is Korean and so is most of the menu.

I will post the list-- I am curious which foods I should definitely avoid and which ones may be ok. (I was told that there is another restaurant in the same place as the reception, if there is not enough for me to eat!) Thank you for any words of advice.

Carving station: Roast Baron of Beef

Korean Style Beef Rib Stew

Chicken Roulade

Fresh Jellyfish Salad

Chef's Choice of Vegetables

Seasoned Pollack

Sauteed Mushrooms & Broccoli

Assorted Grilled Patties

Noodle w/Beef & Vegetable ((I would assume a NO on this one))

California Roll/Seaweed Maki

Fried Shrimp or Crab Claws

Mixed Green Salad ((I would assume safe if NO croutons))

Seafood Pasta Salad ((I would assume NO on this one))

Porridge

Kimchi

Cucumber Kimchi

Steamed Rice

----What do you think?? Thank you!

Tanya in Chicago

I am super duper excited for you! I was at the Taste of Chicago last night... I too enjoyed some corn on the cob... and frozen bananas dipped in chocolate... I miss eating and drinking the other stuff... but I focus on the fun times!!!

I can't believe they had NEW GRIST ON TAP! Very good news.

Smiles to you,

Tanya in Chicago

JULY METROCELIACS MEETING!

Host: Jennifer Price and Tanya Davidson with the MetroCeliacs

Location: Days Inn

644 West Diversey Parkway, Chicago, IL

When: Wednesday, July 26, 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Happy Summer to Celiacs in Chicago!!!

We are very excited to welcome Lara Field, a registered dietician, to our July MetroCeliacs meeting. (This was rescheduled from June)

Do you have any questions about celiac disease or how to accurately follow the gluten free diet? Are there any myths that you would like to prove or dispel? Now that it is grilling season, do you want info regarding cooking on the grill and enjoying bbq sauce? What ingredients are in some of our favorite grilling items (brats? marinades?) that we need to be wary of, if any?

Now would be a great time to come and have your questions answered.

Please RSVP by July 24 by 5:00 to MetroCeliacs@yahoo.com. We are looking to have a larger group so Lara is able to come and help us all out. She is looking forward to answering any questions on ingredients, foods, preparations, living gluten-free...anything you can think of that you have always wondered and not had a forum to discuss. Please join us for this informative event.

INCLUDE YOUR QUESTIONS IN YOUR REPLY so that Lara can prepare accordingly.

As always, friends and family are welcome to join us, celiac or not! And feel free to bring Gluten Free snacks (please include an ingredient list for people with additional allergies). Water and coffee will be provided.

Thanks to Sherwyn's for sponsoring our group. Be sure to check out their ever-growing Gluten Free selection! Gail is always ready to stock suggestions we offer, so go shopping after the meeting or before. She is really great about responding to requests and her gluten-free section is fantastic! It is located across the street from the Days Inn, totally convenient!

The Days Inn is located on Diversey, at Clark & Broadway. It is easy to get to by bus (Clark 22 or Broadway 36) or train (brown line to Diversey and walk 4 blocks west). Parking is difficult. There are meters and a parking garage on Clark at the Century Mall.

We hope you can come. It should be a fun and informative meeting! If you have any additional things to ask us, please email us at MetroCeliacs@yahoo.com

Jen and Tanya

MetroCeliacs

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Hello NicoleAJ,

So sorry to hear about your food poisoning experience in Paris. I am glad that you were able to have a good time, but thats a bummer.

Tanya Davidson

Chicago

Hello Celiacs in Chicago-

I wanted to announce the MetroCeliacs June Meeting - Wednesday, June 21!

Host: Jennifer Price and Tanya Davidson of the MetroCeliacs

Location: Days Inn

644 West Diversey Parkway, Chicago, IL

Near Clark & Diversey & Broadway intersection

When: Wednesday, June 21, 6:30pm to 7:30pm

Cost: Free

June is here! Summer brings out the bbq's, al fresco dining and many a rooftop party...what a perfect time to chat with a Nutritionist. We are happy to have Lara Field take the time to talk with us and answer any questions we may have. Whether you are looking for specific answers to food questions or general ideas about what a healthy gluten free diet looks like... please join us for our next meeting.

Lara worked with the University of Chicago Hospital Celiac Disease Program for several years and now works at Children's Memorial Hospital. She has a lot of experience working with Celiac Disease and the gluten free diet.

Please RSVP to MetroCeliacs@yahoo.com and please include your questions in your response, if you have one. We will pass on to Lara, so she will know how to prepare for the meeting. This is sure to be a fun and informative meeting!!

Getting to the Days Inn- 22 or 36 bus, or the brown line Diversey stop & then walk east about 3.5 blocks. It is located at the corner of Clark & Diversey. Parking is limited, but there is a parking garage on Clark at the Century Mall.

Friends and family are welcome. And so are gluten free snacks-- just be sure to bring along an ingredient list for those guests with multiple allergies!

Thanks to Sherwyn's for sponsoring our meetings! Be sure to stop by and check out their Gluten Free selection. They are located across the street!

We hope to see you at our next meeting! If you have further questions, please contact us via email- metroceliacs@yahoo.com!

Jen and Tanya --- MetroCeliacs

Open Original Shared Link

Hi-

Sounds wonderful! Thanks for sharing!

Tanya in Chicago

Thanks but I think I will pass on your book - this is exactly what I was afraid of...Kate

Hello-

I enjoyed the book. I like that it has some sample menus in various ethnic groups, and then lists which items should be gluten free most of the time, and it lists other allergies if you have them...

As for restaurants in Chicago, a group that I am a part of called the MetroCeliacs does supper clubs every month and has been putting them on a blog... feel free to take a look --

Open Original Shared Link

Personally, one of my favorite restuarants for gluten free food is Ben Pao. They have a gluten free menu, as well as Adobo Grill! Ben Pao is reasonably priced, and Adobo is a little more pricey.

Hope that helps. Hope you have a nice trip to Chicago! It is a great city!

Tanya in Chicago

Since I could open up my own MAC store, I figured I would share this information with you too.

These are a lot of products I use...anything that isnt listed is not confirmed, you do have to call 1-800-588-0070.

These are confirmed gluten-free 5/16/2006 by phone.

Bronzing Powder (Except any color containing 'Refined' in the color name)

Cheek Powder Blush

Iridescent Loose Powder

Studio Finish Powder

Concealer Select Moisture Cover

All eyeshadows (Except the ones with the Luxe Texture)

Eye Pigment

Liquid Eye Liner

Regular Eye Pencil

Powerpoint Eye Pencil

Eye Kohl Pencil

Mascara X

ProLash Mascara

Lipglass

Lip Pencil

CremeStick Liner

All Lipstick (Except for any Texture Amplified Creme and Vitamin E stick)

All Nail Lacquer

Makeup Wipes

Thank you.

Tanya in chicago

Tanya--thank you, thank you, thank you. I'm so excited that you posted this list and had such a great time (with no gluten problems) in Paris, especially since I'll be there on May 24th.

By the way, when you say chicken salad do you mean a salad with grilled chicken on it or chicken salad made with mayonaise? Did you find a lot of things had mayo in them? I'm really not a fan, so I was just wondering.

Hi,

Chicken salad was a lettuce salad with grilled chicken.

I don't remember seeing much of anything with mayo...

Have a great trip!

Tanya

Hello Fellow Celiacs-

I had posted a few questions about traveling to Paris on this list and I wanted to share my list of restaurants. I had a wonderful time and never got glutened. I found the servers and waiters to be very accomodating... I do not speak french, although I definitely tried. I had such a great trip.

I hope this helps some of you that are soon traveling to Paris!

Ok, so I here is my list (I kept a journal)...

In order in which I ate... I showed my dining card at each place as I ordered!

1) La Table d'Hediard

21, place de la Madeleine

(its on the second floor- first floor wonderful shop of fresh fruits,

wines, jams, and chocolate on the first!)

A tad pricey, but by far my favorite and most delicious meal!!

I ordered Fillet of Roast Beef, fresh greens on the side (30 euros!),

and sorbet for dessert (with out the cookie)

2) Cafe Madeline

1, Rue Trochet - 35, Place de La Madeleine

Only for drinks.

3) Cafe de l'Olympia

I had an Omlet w/chorizo, onions, peppers... with OJ

(sorry don't know address, walking distance from the Arc de Triomphe)

4) Le Reminet

3 Rue Des Grands Degres

(near Notre Dame- probably the one that you have)

I ordered the white fish special of the day, I'm not a fish person,

but it was pretty good.

5) Hagen Daaz

I ate a couple different ones, chocolate, one scoop in a dish

6) Monoprix grocery type stores

Found allergo brand gluten free stuff-- loved the chocolate chip

muffins. chocolate chip cookies not so good, herb cracker things-funny

texture, and saltine like crackers- not sure. The wine at this store

was very reasonably priced. I also purchased some corn chips.

7) Relais Trochet

14, Rue Trochet

The guy that helped me, was wonderful. I showed him my french dining

card, and he responded "no problem". He was truly great! I had a

chicken salad, with out dressing, and served with lemon. It was very

tasty.

Here is the link of the card I liked the most- (I also printed one

English, so I knew what it said!)

Open Original Shared Link

8) Took day trip to Versailles, I packed snacks. I ate fries at the

little food place in the gardens. They were tasty.

9) Indiana Cafe (near Opera)- I think there are several-

7, bd des Capucines

It is a very American/variety menu... I had a salad, with avacado, and

a magarita.

10) Went to Louvre- heard good things about Cafe Marley... opted to

not go, with a burger costing 19 euros...

11) Instead we went to Le Musset (and I guess they have a website -

www.lemusset.com)...

5, rue de l'Echelle

We had to wait about 20 minutes to get a table. I had a lovely salad -

with chicken, cucumbers, tomatoes, rice, lettuce, carrots and maybe

more! And they also had Berthillion sorbets and ice cream. I asked for

creme broule for dessert, but the waiter, wasn't sure if flour was

mixed in with it... so I had the most delicious cherry and strawberry

sorbet.

12) Be sure to stop by the Fauchon shop for jams... and be sure to

stop by the Mustard Shop Maille-- fresh mustard- if you like that sort

of thing.

I think that is it. I stayed near the Opera and Le Madeleine area... so most places are near that.

I would suggest that you bring a french dining card. Also pack snacks.

I carried a Think Organic bar with me at all times. It was nice to

have snacks in the hotel room also.

If you have any other questions, let me know. I had such a wonderful time in Paris!

Have a nice trip!

Tanya in Chicago

Hi all!

I'm sure this question has been asked to death on here but my husband and I are traveling to France next month and will be visiting Paris and the South of France. I have celiacs and am a little concerned about eating out in France since they are bread heavy and use flour in most sauces. Does anyone have any recommendations for a 20-something couple from NYC dining out in the Paris/South of France areas? Is there any particular way I should address the gluten issue at restaurants? I don't know any French and am scrambling to learn the basics like "I'm allergic to flour." I'd be glad to have any recommendations/advice/help.

Thanks!

Calyandra

Hello Calyandra-

I just returned from Paris last week... I still need to write up some things for this list and the list serv... but I will tell you - I had a ball. I was quite nervous about the language barrier, since I do not speak french. I posted questions to this forum and the delphiforums list and the list serv... I googled french gluten free, french dining cards, traveling with celiac and more...

I didn't have any gluten episodes -- very exciting!

My boyfriend didn't confirm my gluten free meal on our flight, so I am not sure if it is even possible on Air France, but if I were you, I would pack snacks for the flight over and back. I am in love with the Think Organic bars... and they are not very big, so easy to travel with... I also had a couple of bananas for the flight over... I had packed some fruit leathers, ener-g pretzels (and I brought tons of zip lock bags for when I opened the packs)... I tried to eat, when others were eating the airplane meals... and since I hadn't requested a gluten-free meal on the flight, I just allowed them to bring me one, and I ate what I could (all was individually wrapped)... primarily that meant yogurt... and juice.

While I was in Paris, I had several copies of various French dining cards... there was one that I used more thn the others... try this link

Open Original Shared Link

I would look over the menu and narrow down to something I wanted that seemed to be gluten free and then I would order it and give the waiter my french dining card... every waiter took it very seriously! A couple of times I used it to order the main course, and then if we opted for dessert, I would show again...

I will soon be posting all the restaurants I ate at... so keep your eyes open, and if you want me to email it to you, when I get it put together- let me know- tanyasmiles@gmail.com

Something that I found amusing... the word for bread in french is "pain" ... there are several places that are Pommes au pain.... we lovingly referred to them as houses of pain... its easy to know to stay away! Someone suggested that I learn what the french words are for wheat, barley, rye and oats... good idea, I think... I remember that ble' is the word for wheat.

Oh there is so much fun stuff to share, but this post is getting so long! I had such a wonderful time while I was in Paris. Gluten Free eating CAN be done there... and I was pretty nervous.

I hope that helps you a little!

Still smiling,

Tanya in Chicago

Hello All,

We just had a MetroCeliac Supper Club meeting for March at Grace O'Malley's in the South Loop. We celebrated St. Pat's there last year and it was so enjoyable that we decided on a repeat - a supper club first! To ck out the review and see the pics of the event, ck out our weblog at:

www.metroceliacs.blogspot.com

It was really a good turnout and everyone was sooo fun and hopefully soooo full. The food was wonderful and the staff was just incredible to deal with when planning our event. If you are coming to Chicago for a conference at McCormick Place or coming to the museums, please ck this place out and ask for TJ or Jennifer. They are very attentive and the food has a lot of flavor.

Our supper club may be gaining some foothold in Chicago, they remembered us and were willing to discuss permanently changing their menu to label the gluten-free foods as well as the ones that can be adapted for us. They also asked about gluten-free breads and pastas and dessert options (very important! haha). I hope they follow through with their ideas and become our first major success story.

Wish us luck!

Jenny and Tanya

MetroCeliacs@yahoo.com

******************************************************

MetroCeliacs - Chicago

Jennifer Price - (773) 612-5366

Tanya Davidson - (847) 293-3218

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Hello Celiacs in the Chicago Area,

We are having a meeting of the MetroCeliacs - Chicago tonight and here are the details:

Whole Foods - Lakeview

3300 N Ashland

Chicago

Wednesday, March 29 6:30-7:30 pm

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We are happy to welcome Michelle Melin-Rogovin from University of Chicago Celiac Disease Program to our next meeting on March 29th.

This meeting should clear up any rumors, dispel any myths and clarify any ambiguous or erroneous information regarding celiac disease. University of Chicago is leading the way in celiac research and Michelle works closely with Dr. Guandalini, a celiac expert.

Please send all questions or specific topics of interest to MetroCeliacs@yahoo.com before 5:00pm today...

To see our past speakers and events, please check out Open Original Shared Link

Hope to see you on the 29th!

Jen and Tanya

MetroCeliacs

******************************************************

MetroCeliacs - Chicago

Jennifer Price - (773) 612-5366

Tanya Davidson - (847) 293-3218

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

metroceliacs@yahoo.com

Hey Tanya,

the german version from www.celicatravel.com/restaurant-cards.html is fine and should be helpful.

I am sorry, but I would not recommend Bratwurst. Eventhough there are gluten-free Bratwursts, I wouldn't eat it in a Restaurant. The Problem with Bratwursts is, that the spices and aromas used in it could be contaminated with gluten... the risk is just too high.

If you tell me the cities you will stay in, I can try to find restaurants with special gluten-free meals!

Safe, besides all of the basic things (like natural yoghurt, rice, potatoes, natural meet and so on) are also many kinds of german choclate (which by the way taste better than the american ones , and have saved my life a couple of times while travelling). There are also a places called 'Reformhaus' in almost any major city, which offer gluten-free products!

By the way, since November 2005 there is a new law in Germany (and France by the way, since this is a EU law) which forces every manufacturer of foods to declare any gluten containing ingredients on the package.

The problem is that you need to know the german and french names for all the crops containing gluten.

Greetings

Thanks again...

The plan keeps changing but the latest is that we will be staying possibly in Bingen and Cologne (Koln) and we may spend a few hours in Koblenz and Mannheim... and not necessarily in that order!

If you have restaurant suggestions or stores (like the reformous-health stores)... I would be all ears!

Tanya in Chicago

Hey there,

I am form Germany and I recommend the website of the 'German Celiac Society'!

Open Original Shared Link <-- click on the english button!!!

Those ppl are really nice and they can provide you with additional information!

If you have further specific questions you can also ask ME!

Have fun in Germany and our beloved neighbor France!

Hello German Guy-

Thank you. I have already contacted them. They seem very nice, but did not offer a lot of information.

Can I eat bratwurst while in Germany? Is it gluten free? I love it and eat here in the U.S.!! Could you tell me specific foods that I would find in Germany that are always safe? I have been told by a couple of people that eating gluten free in Germany will be tough... I will only be there for 3 days.

Any suggestions would be great! THANK YOU!

Tanya in Chicago

You can find the location of Reformhauses in Germany and Austria at this website: Open Original Shared Link

Just enter the name of each town or city that you are visiting in the "Ort" box, and click on "Suchen". This site is in German, so you'll need to use German spelling.

Ken

THANK YOU!!! This will come in very handy I think! We are going to be in several different cities along the Rhine River while looking at castles and scenery...

You guys rock. Much appreciated.

Tanya in Chicago!!

Hi Tanya

I live in France and my kid is gluten free, it's easy to find here :

check on :

Open Original Shared Link

type : "diététique : produits biologiques, naturels et de régime (détail)"

under "activité", and the town (paris I assume)and you'll find lots off health food stores.

THANK YOU!!!! I appreciate all of your thoughts! I do not have a corn allergy, thank goodness... I eat a lot of corn chips...

I went to the web site... thanks again!

Have a great day! And thank you for taking the time to reply!

Tanya in Chicago

Thanks Ken for you information as well. I really appreciate you taking the time to advise me... I am so excited! I just want to go over there as well prepared as I can...

Thanks again!

Tanya in Chicago

Does anyone know of a Celiac support group in Chicago? I don't have a car so the group must meet somewhere in the city.

Thanks!

Devon

Hello Devon,

There is a group called the MetroCeliacs that meets in the city. We are an active group, that has one meeting a month and one Supper Club outing. If you are interested, our next meeting is Thursday, February 16. We will be meeting at the Days Inn, near Clark and Diversey, at 6:30. Our meetings usually go for an hour. This month we are excited to have Kim Koeller from Gluten Free Passport. Feel free to stop by.

If you would like more information, please email MetroCeliacs@yahoo.com.

Tanya

Chicago, IL