The End of the Year Wrap-Up!

As 2010 comes to an end, I would like to thank all of my readers for their continued support!  Ms. Celiac Says would be nothing without you!  


Tomorrow will be our 2nd Year Anniversary since starting this site on January 1st, 2009.  To celebrate, Ms. Celiac's Shop is having a MAJOR SALE starting today and lasting throughout the month of January!


Ms. Celiac's Shop is a place where you can buy products to display your gluten free pride in a fun, thought-provoking way!  We are currently selling 10 different shirts and 1 tote bag!  All items are priced below $20!


In case you missed the announcement, I will also be writing for Examiner.com as their Long Island Gluten Free Examiner.  You can check out my Long Island focused articles here: Long Island Gluten Free Examiner


However, I will still be writing on this site with articles geared to my local NYC readers and my national and international visitors!


To check out some of my recent articles for Examiner.com, please visit the links below:


Your Guide to Gluten Free Holiday Baking


Gluten Free Desserts At Sweet Karma in East Meadow


Still Riding Pizza Bringing Gluten Free Pizza to Your Local Parlor


Calagero's - A Garden City Restaurant Serving Gluten Free Pizza and Pasta


This year has been great for those of us with Celiac Disease as more companies and restaurants are starting to cater to a gluten free audience!  Snyder's of Hanover released gluten free pretzels, General Mills released a gluten free Bisquick Pancake and Baking Mix, and now Post Foods are certifying their Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles gluten free!  We can't wait to see what 2011 has in store for us!


And you know you can always count on Ms. Celiac Says to bring you the latest and greatest in gluten free events, news, products, and restaurants!


Happy New Year!


~Paige


*What would YOU like to see featured on Ms. Celiac Says in 2011?  Let us know by sending an email to MsCeliacSays@gmail.com!

Happy Holidays!

Make sure to enjoy some delicious gluten free cookies throughout the season!

~Paige

Important Update!

Hey Everyone!


I wanted to let you all know that I will now be writing for Examiner.com in their Health & Fitness section as the Long Island Gluten Free Examiner!  You can check out my latest articles here: Long Island Gluten Free Examiner

Depending on the content, some of the articles that I write for Examiner.com will also be posted on Ms. Celiac Says and some of the articles will be specific to one site or the other.  Make sure to check out both sites!  To have my latest articles emailed to you from Examiner.com, visit my Examiner page and click "subscribe."


As always, if you have any questions, comments, ideas, or tips, feel free to email me at MsCeliacSays@gmail.com.


I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season!


~Paige

Holiday Baking + Contest Winner!

So, it is time to announce the winner of the Katz Gluten Free Contest.  

Janice Wei of Buena Park, California will be receiving a sample pack of tasty treats from Katz Gluten Free.  Congratulations!!!

This week, I've started my holiday baking.  So far, I have made gluten free 7 Layer Bars, Icing Cookies, Chocolate Balls and Chocolate Layer Bars.  I am currently in the process of making gluten free Gingerbread Cookies for the first time ever - I will let you know how they turn out!

To get started on your baking, why not try out some of these recipes:

• 7 Layer Bars
• Chocolate Balls
• Chocolate Layer Bars
• Czechoslovakian Cookies
• Icing Cookies
• Sufganiyot
• Vienna Chocolate Bars

For those of you who don't like to bake or don't have time to bake, these gluten free brands have excellent baked goods:

• Babycakes
• Katz Gluten Free
• Pamela's Products
• Shabtai Gourmet

If you haven't yet, make sure to follow Ms. Celiac on Twitter or "like" us on Facebook!

Ok, time to get back to the Gingerbread Men!

~Paige

Shabtai Gourmet Wins at KosherFest 2010!!!

For the fourth time, Shabtai Gourmet has won the 1st Place Award for Best New Kosher for Passover Dessert at Kosherfest's annual New Product Competition.  This year they were chosen as the winner for their delicious new treat, Gluten Free Yidels.  These Yidels are Devils Food Mini Chocolate Swiss Rolls and are amazingly delicious!

Shabtai Gourmet has long been one of my favorite gluten free brands!  In addition to their products being gluten free they are also dairy free, peanut free, casein free, soy free, lactose free, corn free and certified Kosher and certified Kosher for Passover!  They are also baked in a dedicated facility!

Many of their products also contain no hydrogenated oils, no trans fats, no artificial colors or flavors, no preservatives, and use all natural and organic ingredients!

You can find Shabtai Gourmet products at health food stores and supermarkets and Bloomingdales' (select Eastern locations) all year round!  You may also purchase them online at www.shabtai-gourmet.com.  Shabtai Gourmet ships across the United States and to Puerto Rico.

Their current gluten free product list includes:

• Fudge Brownie
• Brownie Bites
• Raspberry Roll
• Swiss Chocolate Roll
• Devils Food Seven Layer Cake
• Florentine Lace Cookies
• Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Sponge Cake Loaf
• Marble Loaf Cake
• Bread Crumb Substitute
• Meltaway Crumb Pecan Sandie
• Rainbow Cookie Squares (A Favorite of Mine)
• Mini Black & White Cookies (A Favorite of Mine)
• Ring Ting Cupcakes
• Apricot Roll
• Lady Fingers
• Seven Layer Cake - White Cake
• 7 Inch Occasion Layer Cake
• Chocolate Chip Biscotti
• Honey Cake Loaf
• Bon Bons

For more information, follow them on Twitter or "like" them on Facebook or visit their website at www.shabtai-gourmet.com!

Katz Gluten Free - New Products + Giveaway!

I was lucky enough to be sent some delicious new products from Katz Gluten Free this week!  I received both the Vanilla Rugelach and the Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes!


I had previously tried both their Chocolate Rugelach and their Cinnamon Rugelach (both favorites of mine) and this new variety was equally as good!  It is more of a lighter flavor but still rather tasty!


I've always thought that Chocolate + Rainbow Sprinkles are the perfect combination and Katz's new Chocolate Frosted Cupcakes are no exception!  Once you bite into them, you will not be able to put them down!


In addition to these two new products, Katz Gluten Free has many delicious items that are perfect to serve to guests throughout the holiday season!  And during this time, there will be free shipping on all orders over $30!


Also, by visiting Katz's website you can request a Free Sample Pack (shipping applies under $30).  
__________________________________________________________________________________


And now for the Giveaways...


Thanks to Katz Gluten Free, one of our readers will be receiving a Free Sample Kit!  To enter this contest, please send us an email at MsCeliacSays@gmail.com with "Katz Gluten Free Giveaway" in the subject line and your name and address in the body.  Entries will be accepted until December 15th!


To enter the Grand Raffle, where the winner will receive a huge box containing one of each and every product Katz makes, visit their website at Katz Gluten Free to enter.  The drawing for this raffle will be on January 3rd, 2011!


__________________________________________________________________________________


For more information check out their Facebook Page, Twitter Page, or Website!

Let's Make Cupcakes!

I was recently sent a box of Sof'ella's Gourmet Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix to sample.  I chose to make some chocolate cupcakes!  These cupcakes turned out to be very moist and still stay together.  Even those not on a gluten free diet enjoyed their dark chocolate flavor!


The cupcakes were rather easy to make - all that needed to be added were butter, eggs, and water!  I used Betty Crocker's chocolate frosting to top them off!  


In addition to Sof'ella's Gourmet Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Mix they also sell a Gourmet Gluten Free All Purpose Baking Mix!  Both items are available on their website at www.sofellafoods.com!

Enjoy Life!

I was recently sent Enjoy Life's new "boom Choco boom" bars to sample.  


Enjoy Life has long been one of my favorite brands but I must say I was skeptical of a chocolate bar being good that was gluten free, dairy free, and soy free.  However, I was pleasantly surprised!  


All 3 varieties that I sampled (rice milk, dark chocolate, and crispy rice) were delicious and tasted just like a "normal" chocolate bar!


In addition to being gluten free, dairy free, and soy free, the "boom Choco boom" bars are egg free, peanut free, tree nut free, certified vegan and kosher plus they are made in a dedicated nut and gluten free facility!


Visit their website at www.enjoylifefoods.com to download a coupon to save 75 cents on any two chocolate bars.  


You can purchase these bars at many grocery stores and health food stores nationwide.  You can also buy them in bulk at Ms. Celiac's Market!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

First of all, I want to say that I hope everyone has a delicious gluten free Thanksgiving holiday tomorrow!  I am thankful for all of my viewers and the fact that we have now had over 25,000 unique visitors!  Keep spreading the word!

Also, in case any of you need some last minute ideas for tomorrow, check out these posts:

Gluten Free Gravy

Gluten Free Stuffing

Gluten Free Desserts

On another note, congratulations to the winner of the Live Gluten Freely Giveaway courtesy of General Mills via MyBlogSpark!  Ginger Garza of Bainbridge Island, Washington will be receiving a large package of gluten free General Mills products!

Happy Thanksgiving!

~Paige

Live Gluten Freely Giveaway!!!

General Mills is proud to offer more than 300 affordable gluten-free products that are available in grocery stores nationwide.  In addition, they have created an online community that provides gluten free recipes, tips, coupons and new product information!


If you haven't yet, make sure to visit their website at www.liveglutenfreely.com and sign up for their newsletter.  Also, visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/glutenfreely and make sure to "like" them!  


At Liveglutenfreely.com, you can find recipes ranging from Basil-Spinach Dip to Banana-Pecan Waffles to Apple Streusel Cheesecake Bars to Chicken and Vegetable Pot Pie.


Recently, General Mills sent me a prize pack through MyBlogSpark so that I could sample several of their gluten free offerings.  This package included:

• Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy Chocolate Frosting
• Betty Crocker Gluten Free Brownie Mix
• Betty Crocker Gluten Free Yellow Cake Mix
• Gluten Free Honey Nut Chex
• Betty Crocker Potato Buds
• Betty Crocker Variety Pack (Fruit Roll-Ups, Fruit Gushers, Fruit By The Foot)
• Gluten Free Bisquick
• Peanut Butter Cookie Larabar
• Betty Crocker Serving Spoon

They are also going to send one of my lucky readers a prize pack!  To enter this contest, send an email to MsCeliacSays@gmail.com with "LiveGlutenFreely Contest" in the subject line.  In the body of the email include the answer to the following question:

What food product would you like to see available gluten-free?

Also, make sure to include your name, address, and phone number.

The contest deadline is November 24th at noon (EST) so make sure to get your entries in quickly!  Good Luck!

And The Winner Is...

The winner of our Food Should Taste Good contest is...Maureen Gallagher Burns of Palatine, Illinois!  


Congratulations!!!  She will be receiving a sample box of these all natural tortilla chips!  


Thanks again to everyone who entered!  We will be hosting more contests in the near future!  So stay tuned...

Food Should Taste Good Giveaway!!!

I first encountered Food Should Taste Good's All Natural Tortilla Chips this summer when I enjoyed my first bag of the Multigrain and Olive varieties.  It was at this point that I became hooked!  I enjoyed the flavor and how light and healthy they seemed in comparison to a bag of greasy potato chips.

In fact, they do have many health benefits.  They are free of cholesterol, preservatives, trans fats and GMOs.  They are also certified Kosher and Gluten Free, as well as, being low in sodium and a good source of dietary fiber.

Currently, Food Should Taste Good chips are available in 10 flavors.  These include:

• Multigrain
• Sweet Potato
• Olive
• Jalapeno
• The Works!
• Chocolate
• Lime
• Yellow Corn
• Blue Corn
• Cheddar

They also recently sent me a sample pack including such delicious flavors as the Sweet Potato, The Works!, Blue Corn, Cheddar, and Multigrain.  And they are giving me the opportunity to give one of my lucky readers a free sample box!  

To enter, email MsCeliacSays@gmail.com with "Food Should Taste Good Giveaway" in the subject line and please include in the body of the email:

• your name
• your address
• your top 5 flavor choices

The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Saturday, November 13th!  All entries must be received by Friday, November 12th at noon (EST).  So, hurry up and send in your entries!  

For more information on Food Should Taste Good, please visit their website at www.foodshouldtastegood.com or visit their Facebook Page by clicking here:  Food Should Taste Good

Let's Make an Autumn Treat!

Are you looking for a tasty autumn recipe to create that is also gluten free?  If so, these Pumpkin Chocolate Chip muffins are the perfect option.  


The ingredients that you will need include:

• 1 14 oz. can of pure pumpkin
• 2 cups rice flour
• 2/3 cups potato starch
• 1/3 cup tapioca flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 12 oz. bag of gluten free chocolate chips (I used Nestle)
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp. salt

Now for the directions:


1) Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2) Grease muffin tin (batter makes approximately 24 muffins)
3) Mix together the rice flour, potato starch, and tapioca flour until well blended and set aside.
4) Combine together the eggs, vegetable oil, sugar, and pumpkin.  
5) In a separate bowl, mix together the gluten free flour mixture, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
6) Slowly, add this mixture to the wet ingredients.
7) Finally, stir in the chocolate chips.


Now all you have to do is spoon the batter into the muffin tin until they are 3/4 full.  Bake in the oven for approximately 25 minutes.  


Enjoy!

Gluten Free Microwave Mug Cakes!

Author Stacey Miller appeared last year on The Rachel Ray Show to promote her book, 101 Recipes for Microwave Mug Cakes.  Many of her fans contacted her asking for gluten free versions of these recipes, so she has now released a new book entitled, 101 Recipes for GLUTEN-FREE Microwave Mug Cakes.

This is the perfect book for someone who enjoys baking their own snacks but only has 10 minutes or less and just wants a single-serving.  All you need to make these recipes is a microwave oven, a mug, a saucer, a mixing bowl, and a few ingredients!

Here is a sample recipe from the book:

The Great Pumpkin Microwave Mug Cake

INGREDIENTS

• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon canned pumpkin
• 1 tablespoon Grandma's Original Molasses
• 2 tablespoons Yoplait French Vanilla yogurt
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1/8 teaspoon McCormick vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon Argo baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon guar gum, xanthan gum, or tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon McCormick ground cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons Domino light brown sugar
• 4 tablespoons gluten-free sorghum flour
• 4 tablespoons gluten-free brown or white rice flour
• 2 tablespoons potato starch

DIRECTIONS

Prepare your microwaveable mug by coating the inside lightly with Pam Original cooking spray

Mix the ingredients in a small bowl.  Beat egg first with a spoon and mix in other liquid ingredients.  Then add dry ingredients and mix until you've removed all the lumps.

Pour the batter into the mug (do not fill more than halfway) and smooth the top with a spoon.  Thump mug firmly on the tabletop six times to remove excess air bubbles.  Place mug on top of a microwaveable small plate or saucer.

Bake for 3-4 minutes.  Check for doneness by inserting a toothpick in the middle of the microwave mug cake and removing the toothpick.  If the toothpick is dry, the MMC is done.

Wait 2 minutes, then run a butter knife along the inside of the mug and tip the cake onto a plate.  Position the mug cake so that the slightly rounded surface is on top.  Your microwave mug cake will now look like a slightly overgrown muffin.

FANCY STUFF

Frost the whole The Great Pumpkin Microwave Mug Cake with whipped cream or split the MMC in half and frost each half individually (in which case you'll end up with two separate MMCs - or you can reassemble the frosted halves to create a layered MMC).  Sprinkle, if you wish, with McCormick ground cinnamon.


To purchase 101 Recipes for GLUTEN-FREE Microwave Mug Cakes, please visit Barnes & Noble or go to Amazon.com.  For more information, visit www.microwavemugcakes.com

And The Winner Is...

The winner of the Gluten Free Bisquick Giveaway is Cheryl Free of Fort Wayne, Indiana who says she will be making Gluten Free Cheese Garlic Biscuits with the Bisquick Gluten Free Baking Mix!

She will be receiving a Bisquick Prize Pack courtesy of Bisquick and MyBlogSpark that includes a box of Bisquick Gluten Free Baking Mix, a pancake pan, pancake pen and a pancake flipper.

Congratulations to Cheryl and thank you to everyone who entered!  We will be hosting even more contests in the future so stay tuned!

Happy Halloween!

As it is getting closer to Halloween, I wanted to provide you all with an updated list of gluten free candies that you are sure to find in your trick-or-treat bags!


2010 Gluten Free Halloween Candy List:

• Airheads
• Almond Joy
• Baby Ruth
• Bazooka Big Mix
• Betty Crocker Fruit by the Foot
• Betty Crocker Fruit Flavored Snacks
• Brach's Candy Corn
• Brach's Mellowcreme Pumpkins
• Butterfinger fun size
• Charleston Chew
• Charms Blow Pops
• Dots Gumdrops
• Farley's Candy Corn
• Hershey's Kisses
• Hot Tamales
• Jawbreakers
• Jelly Belly Candy Corn
• Jelly Belly Jelly Beans
• Jolly Rancher Hard Candy
• Junior Mints fun size
• Kraft Jet-Puffed Boo Mallows Marshmallows
• Laffy Taffy by Wonka
• Lifesavers Hard Candy
• Lik-M-Aid Fun Dip by Wonka
• M&M's Plain and Peanut
• Mike & Ike
• Milk Duds
• Milky Way Midnight Bar
• Mounds Dark Chocolate
• Mr. Goodbar
• Nerds by Wonka
• Now and Later 
• Peeps
• Peeps Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate Covered Pumpkins
• Pez Candy
• Pixy Stix by Wonka
• Raisinets
• Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
• Runts by Wonka
• Skittles
• Smarties
• Snickers
• Sno-Caps
• Sour Patch Kids
• Starburst
• Swedish Fish
• Sweetarts by Wonka
• Three Musketeers
• Tootsie Pops
• Tootsie Rolls
• York Peppermint Patties

This list is by no means exhaustive, so just because your favorite candy isn't included doesn't necessarily mean that it is not gluten free.  This is just a list to get you started.  As always, please double-check with the manufacturer as product ingredients are constantly changing.

I hope everyone has a safe and happy Halloween!  I will be taking my dog, Monroe, out this year dressed as a candy corn (photographed above).

A Must Buy!

For all of you with Celiac Disease or for those of you who know someone with Celiac Disease, Triumph Dining's The Essential Gluten-Free Restaurant Guide 5th Edition is an absolute must buy!


This book includes over 6,500 restaurants which is over 1,500 more than in the 4th edition.  Even better is that over 2,800 of the restaurants listed have gluten-free menus or gluten-free specialty items.  In this new 5th edition, they have also added over 40 chain menus so that the book now includes over 120 gluten-free lists and menus from chain restaurants throughout the United States!


Triumph Dining has managed to find gluten free restaurants in all 50 states and in cities and towns both large and small!


This is the perfect guide to bring with you on vacation and is even great to you use in your own town.  I was certain that I knew every gluten free restaurant in my neighborhood, but to my surprise there were several places just around the corner that I never even knew existed!


So, no matter if you were just diagnosed with Celiac Disease or you were diagnosed many years ago, this book makes for an excellent purchase and is almost certain to lead you to find some new gluten free restaurants!  


To purchase, please just click on ad and follow the easy-to-order instructions!

Show Your Support!

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to show their support the company, Food Should Taste Good are changing the color of their Multigrain, Olive and Sweet Potato bags in honor of the cause.  Every time that you purchase one of these pink bags, they will donate 5 cents to a participating charity.  Their goal is to raise $75,000.  And since these chips are gluten free, it is something that all of us with Celiac Disease can participate in!


In addition to being gluten free, Food Should Taste Good chips are all natural, kosher, contain no MSG, are low in sodium, trans fat free, lactose free, cholesterol free, contain no preservatives, are not genetically modified and are a good source of dietary fiber.


They are sold at Starbucks and grocery stores throughout the United States.  So, get out there and look for these pink bags to support a good cause!


For more information, please visit www.foodshouldtastegood.com.

Bisquick Gluten Free Giveaway!!!

Do you ever wish that you could just walk into a mainstream grocery store and pick-up a gluten free baking mix?  Well, now you can!  Bisquick has just released their very own Gluten Free Baking Mix.  You can use it to make pancakes, waffles, biscuits, pizza crusts, cakes, and much more!


If you're not sure what you want to make with it, then just visit www.bisquick.com/glutenfree for a plethora of gluten free baking ideas such as apple pie, strawberry shortcake or chicken fingers!
Bisquick Gluten Free Baking Mix is made in a gluten free processing facility and can be found in the baking aisle at your local grocery store.


To receive a $1 off printable coupon, please click here: $1 Off Coupon
And thanks to Bisquick and MyBlogSpark, we are giving away a Bisquick Prize Pack just like the one we received!  This pack includes a box of Bisquick Gluten Free Baking Mix, a pancake pan, pancake pen and a pancake flipper (see photograph).

To enter, just send me an email at MsCeliacSays@gmail.com with "Bisquick Contest" in the subject line and your name, address, telephone number, and what you plan on making with the new Bisquick Gluten Free Baking Mix in the body.  All submissions must be received by midnight on October 21st!


Good Luck!


[Please note:  Products, information and prize packs were provided by Bisquick through MyBlogSpark]

Gluten Free At The Market!

A few weeks ago, I finally got around to trying Friedman's Lunch at NYC's Chelsea Market.  I had heard so many excellent things about their gluten free offerings that I couldn't wait to try it out and I was definitely not disappointed!


First of all, I learned that they get their gluten free baguettes from Everybody Eat's, their challah rolls from Katz Gluten Free, their sandwich bread from Udi's and their bagels from Joan's.  So, considering those are some of the best gluten free brands out there I was sure the food was going to be delicious.


I ordered the Smoked Salmon Plate which usually comes with smoked salmon on a gluten free bagel.  Unfortunately, they were all out of the bagels when I was there but I did get to enjoy it on some delicious gluten free toast!  For a side, I tried the Herbed French Fries which were amazing!  I definitely recommend ordering them!

Friedman's Lunch is open seven days a week for breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner.  They offer a variety of gluten free items from pancakes to eggs to soups to salads to sandwiches to pasta to tacos and everything else that you could possibly think up!


In addition to having so many gluten free options available they also use all natural, antibiotic free beef and turkey, organic chicken and eggs, and mostly locally grown produce.


For more information you can visit their website at www.friedmanslunch.com or visit them at:


Chelsea Market
75 Ninth Avenue

So Many Gluten-Free Options at Cafe Rustica!

A few weeks back, I was able to try Cafe Rustica in Great Neck, New York for the first time and I was very impressed!  They have a large selection of gluten free options including pizzas, pastas, and wraps.

I ordered the Pizza Margarita (fresh mozzarella, cherry tomato, and basil) and a gluten free breadstick for my meal and the Silk & Satin Cake (New York style cheesecake layered with chocolate mousse and topped with bittersweet chocolate ganache) for dessert.  I also took out an Azure Wrap (grilled chicken, walnuts, celery, arugula) for lunch the next day.  I loved everything!

The pizza crust was thin and delicious!  The breadstick and wrap were equally yummy and the cheesecake was absolutely delectable (and I don't even usually like cheesecake!).

In addition to the pizzas, pastas, wraps, and desserts, the gluten free menu also includes chicken, veal, and fish entrees along with a wide variety of salads.

For more information, please visit www.caferusticarestaurant.com or visit them at:

Cafe Rustica
200 Middle Neck Road
Great Neck, NY 11021

Today is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day!

Today, September 13th, is National Celiac Disease Awareness Day!  And as promised, we will be announcing the winners to our Katz Gluten Free Giveaway!

The Winner of the $25 Katz Coupon is....Caren Haug from Virginia!

And the Runner-Up who will receive a Katz Gluten Free Sample Package is....Tricia Skibell from Kansas

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to everyone who entered!

We will definitely be hosting more contests in the future!  So stay tuned to www.msceliacsays.com for your chance at winning!

Cooking with Chef Michelle!

A few weeks ago when I was on Long Island, I discovered a gluten free booth at the Tanger Outlets at the Arches' Farmers Market in Deer Park, NY.  The brand is Cooking with Chef Michelle and they had an assortment of gluten free treats including breads, cakes, and muffins.

All of their products are made with 100% organic ingredients and any of their products can be made sugar free.  The variety of items changes weekly but when I was there they had both white and whole grain bread and the types of muffins included:

• Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chip
• Blueberry
• Chocolate Chip
• Carrot
• Coffee Cake
• Banana Nut
• Double Chocolate
• Very Berry Blend

So far, I have been able to sample the Coffee Cake, the Double Chocolate, and the Chocolate Chip Muffin and all three were extremely delicious and tasted just like I remember "real" muffins tasting.

Currently, the products are only available at the Farmers Market which runs every Saturday from June 12th - November 20th.  It is open from 11 am - 3 pm.

For more information about Cooking with Chef Michelle, please visit their website at:  www.cookingwithchefmichelle.com and/or follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/chef_michelle

Sweet Sin Bakery!

A few weeks ago, I tried a gluten free cupcake from Sweet Sin Gourmet Desserts & Bakery.  I had never heard of the company before but the Cookies and Cream cupcake looked tempting so I made the purchase - it was a good decision!  The cupcake was delicious and reminded me of the cookies and cream ice cream I used to enjoy as a child.

Sweet Sin Bakery is based in Baltimore, Maryland and has been making gluten free baked goods since 2005 in a dedicated gluten free bakery.  Throughout Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C. their products can be purchased at several Whole Foods and local gourmet shops.  They are also available at select health food locations nationally.

The menu includes a large variety of delicious gluten free items created by pastry chef, Renee D'Souza, such as:

Breads -

• Herb Focaccia
• Soft White Sandwich
• Tomato & Garlic Focaccia

Cakes and Tarts -

• Banana Cream Pie
• Chocolate Caramel Pecan Pie
• Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Pie
• Cookies & Cream Cake
• Double Chocolate Mousse Cake
• Key Lime Pie
• Lemon Meringue Pie
• Lemon Pie
• Mango Gingerbread Cheesecake
• Pecan Pie
• Pumpkin Pie
• Signature Carrot Cake
• Triple Sin Chocolate Cake
• Vegan Apple Crumble Pie

Mini-Desserts -

• Chocolate Dipped Cheesecake
• Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Tart
• Double Chocolate Mousse Cake
• Key Lime Tart
• Lemon Meringue Tart
• Pecan Tart

Cookies -

• Chocolate Chip
• Sugar Cookies
• Vegan Snickerdoodle

Brownies and Cupcakes -

• Chocolate Brownies
• Chocolate Cappuccino Cupcakes
• Chocolate Cupcakes
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Cupcakes
• Vanilla Gingerbread Cupcakes

Muffins -

• Apple Cinnamon Muffins
• Blueberry Streusel
• Chocolate Chip
• Holiday Pumpkin (Seasonal)

Special Occasion Cakes -

• Yellow Cake
• Chocolate Cake

In addition to being gluten free, many of their products are also dairy free, soy free, and egg free.  Also, if you are in the Baltimore area make sure to check out their new retail location at:

Sweet Sin Cupcakes

123 West 27th Street

Baltimore, MD

410-464-7211

At Sweet Sin Cupcakes, you can enjoy gluten free cupcakes, muffins and other dessert options along with a cup of coffee or try something from their daily selection of fresh made gluten free soups and entrees.

For more information about Sweet Sin Gourmet Desserts and Bakery, visit their website at www.glutenfreedesserts.com.

Quick and Easy Baking Mixes!

Pamela's Products has come out with two perfect quick & easy gluten free mixes for the "back to school" season.  Based on their two most popular mixes, they have created single-serve packs of their Gluten Free Baking & Pancake Mix and a Gluten Free Microwavable Brownie Mix!

This is the ideal item for the busy family, the college student, or any of us on-the-go!  Even better is that Pamela's Products uses all natural ingredients!

A single-serve pack of pancakes produces 4 pancakes after simply adding water, oil and an egg and cooking on an oiled griddle or pan.  If you want an egg-free version, try using flax seeds instead.

A single-serve pack of the brownie mix creates 1 brownie after adding water and oil and microwaving for approximately 1 minute in a cup or bowl.

Pamela's Products Baking & Pancake Mix and Microwavable Brownie Mix will be available by early September at natural food retailers, as well as, on Amazon.  They will be retailing for about $1.99 each.

And as always with Pamela's Products, these new items are delicious!

Katz Gluten Free Giveaway!!!

Attention Gluten Free Foodies!

Katz Gluten Free has teamed up with a variety of blogs (including Ms. Celiac Says) for a super new Giveaway Contest!  For your chance to win $25 Katz Dollars - that is $25 to spend on delicious and gluten free Katz products - you will just need to follow a few quick steps.

Winners will be chosen at random and the more entries you have the better your chance of winning or being the runner-up!  The runner-up will receive a free sample pack from Katz!  Each reader will be able to earn up to 3 entries!  The contest ends on Friday, September 10th!

• For 1 Entry:  Send an email to MsCeliacSays@gmail.com with "Katz Gluten Free Giveway" in the subject line and your name in the body.
• For 2 Entries:  In addition to the email, please "like" our Facebook Page by clicking here:  Ms. Celiac's Facebook Page
• For 3 Entries:  In addition to sending us an email and joining our Facebook page, please follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MsCeliacSays

[To obtain an entry for joining us on Facebook and/or following us on Twitter, be sure to include your Facebook and/or Twitter name in the email]

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Now, let's talk about their yummy products...

A few days ago, I received a huge package from Katz Gluten Free containing Cinnamon Rugelech, a Chocolate Strip, Chocolate Cupcakes, Honey Muffins, Chocolate Dipped Cookies, Apricot Tart Cookies and Chocolate Chip Cookies.

All of their products are Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Nut Free, and Kosher and they are manufactured in a dedicated facility!  In addition to these dessert items that they sent me, they also produce several types of challah/bread, cakes, cookies, muffins, rugelech/strip, pizza crust, farfel, bread crumbs, and kishka kugel.

I've already had a chance to sample the Chocolate Dipped Cookies, the Honey Muffins and the Cinnamon Rugelech and they all do not disappoint.  In fact, I may go get another piece of rugelech right now!

For more information about Katz Gluten Free, please check out their website at www.KatzGlutenFree.com.  Also, make sure to follow them on Twitter @KatzGlutenFree and to become a fan of their Facebook Page by clicking here:  Katz Gluten Free Facebook Page

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The Grand Raffle!!

To participate in the Grand Raffle in which the winner will receive $100 Katz Dollars, you can enter here by completing this quick and easy entry form:  Katz Gluten Free Grand Raffle

When entering be sure to mention www.MsCeliacSays.com as the Referral Blog!

This contest ends on September 13th (National Celiac Awareness Day)!  So be sure to enter soon!

Good Luck!

Purely American

Purely American owns several different food brands many of which produce gluten free products.  Both their Urban Pantry Essentials line and their Farmstand Soup Co. line create quick, easy, and healthy gluten-free meal options.  I was recently sent a package containing both the Urban Pantry Essentials Ohio Valley Homestead Midwest Blend and the Farmstand Soup Co.'s Yukon Gold Bean & Beef Stew Mix.

Urban Pantry Essentials' products are 100% USDA organic dried bean blends that are both low in fat and high in fiber.  Their varieties include:

• *Ohio Valley Homestead Midwest Blend
• *Cascade Valley Northwest Blend
• *Mesa at Four Corners Southwest Blend
• *Delta Blues Deep South Blend
• *Up North Country Great Lakes Blend
• *Town Square Social New England Blend

Farmstand Soup Co.'s products are 80 - 90% organic based and are salt free, contain no MSG, are high in fiber and Kosher certified.  Their varieties include:

• *Harvest Moon 9 Bean Soup Mix
• *Yukon Gold Bean & Beef Stew Mix
• *Summer in the Garden Split Pea Soup Mix
• *Five Pepper Medley Fireside Chili Mix
• *Celebrate Spring Lentil & Sausage Stew Mix
• *Summer BBQ Corn & Chicken Stew Mix

For more information and to purchase Purely American products, please visit their website at www.purelyamerican.com.