For those of you who were not able to attend the September 26th Orange County CSA Chapter #14 Second Annual Gluten Free Food Faire, I thought I would write a blog about the fabulous offerings. It was held at Kaiser Permanente on Alton Parkway in Irvine and attended by over 200 people. A variety of vendors, approximately 20, shared their products with plenty of samples to go around.
A big draw was the free celiac blood screening offered at the event. Prometheus Labs donated 200 free celiac blood screening tests. St. Joseph’s Hospital of Orange contributed all the supplies and the CSA funded the phlebotomists to do the testing. Initially there was a long line for the free blood test. Throughout the day over 60 people were tested free of charge.
Sprouts Farmers Market was at the event and handed out reusable grocery bags filled with gf products. They also passed out a 10% off coupon. They are located at 3775 Alton Parkway in Irvine and carry a wide variety of gluten free products.
Karmic Health’s Founder Sandi Starr was excited to be there and was handing out her delicious gluten-free, low sugar granola snack, Karmic Krunch. She provides nutritional consulting to individuals on the gluten free and gluten-free/caisein free diet. www.karmic-health.com
Maplegrove Gluten Free Foods sampled a gf macaroni salad made our of their rice pasta. It was tasty. They have a new line of organic products and several of their pastas are made with whole grain brown rice. www.maplegrovefoods.com
The Pure Pantry (that’s my company J) passed out gluten free chocolate chip cookies and gave everyone a free Buckwheat Flax pancake and baking mix. The Buckwheat pancake mix offers 6 grams of fiber per serving – something we all need more of in our diet. Free of gluten, soy, dairy, eggs and nuts, products are available at Whole Foods and many independent natural foods stores or on-line at www.thepurepantry.com
Simply Boulder was sampling their line of gluten-free culinary sauces. They have 5 products, three of which are soy free. Their versatile sauces can be used for marinades, dressings, pastas, and grilling. All contain extra virgin olive oil and are sweetened with agave nectar. Founder Seth Mendelshon uses as many organic ingredients as he can in his recipes. Definitely worth checking out! Available at Whole Foods.
Green Cupcakes and More provided mini cupcake samples in pumpkin carrot, raisin spice and chocolate as well as a large chocolate cake. Owner Georgina Seeck has created recipes for freshly bakes cakes, cupcakes and cookies with organic ingredients, no trans fats, dyes or anything artificial. Perfect for birthday parties and special events. www.greencupcakes.com
Pomodoro Restaurant served a delicious gluten free Verdure with Marinara Sauce (sautéed veggies). It was so good I went back for seconds! They feature a number of gluten free items on their menu. They are located at 2214 N. Tustin Ave. (714) 998-3333.
Cicero’s Pizzeria offered fabulous gluten free pizza and pasta samples. The pizza crust was probably the best I have ever tried….thin and crispy. The gluten free pasta is home-made by the restaurant owner. It was also very good. They offer these gluten free pasta and pizza items on their menu and also do catering. They are located at 24531 Trabuco Rd, Suite F, Lake Forest, CA 92630. 949-855-3114 www.ciceroslakeforest.com
Kinnikinnick was passing out samples of their donuts and cookies. If you are in the mood for a gluten-free donut, this may satisfy your craving! www.kinnikinnick.com
TH Foods sampled their healthy and tasty Crunchmaster crackers and Mr. Krispers chips. Both are great snacks and on the healthy side. www.thfoods.com
Whole Foods Bakehouse had delicious samples of their gluten free pumpkin pie, banana bread, scones and cupcakes. I had to try a bite of everything, poor me! Loved them all!
These items are available in the frozen section at Whole Foods.
Pure Fit Gluten Free bars – wow…this was one of my favorite things because I have been on the look out for a healthy, gluten free nutrition bar for a long time! This bar is wheat, gluten and dairy free. If you like the flavor of almonds, you will love almond crunch bar. www.purefit.com
Shabtai Bakery did not have a representative there but had some samples of their cookies. The one point I want to make about some of their products is that they are rice flour free. Some people are looking for rice flour free products which are very hard to find.
Toovaloo gluten-free pizza crust sampled tastes of their whole grain pizza crust.
This crust is highly nutritional and tasty. If you have been to Sammy’s Woodfire Grill and tried their gf pizza, then you have already tried Toovaloo. Available at Whole Foods and other natural food stores. www.toovalooglutenfree.com
Opus Italian Restaurant prepared some fabulous gf dishes to sample: chicken cacciatore, veggies marinara, and gf pasta in pesto sauce. They are located at 3538 East chapman Ave, Orange, 92869, 714-639-3700.
Miriam Matulich, Registered Dietician had a table at the event. She is the Outpatient Dietician for Hoag hospital and is the dietican advisor for the CSA Chapter. She works with celiac patients and patients with autism and is available for private consultation.
949-764-8321 Miriam.Matulich@hoaghospital.org
Vivian Castillo and Feel Better Rehab had a table at the event. She provides patients with a holistic approach to traditional physical therapy. info@feelbetterrehab.com
Stella Lucy gluten free market had samples of many of the products they carry. They have a small gluten free speciality store in San Clemente. They are opening a new store at 101 N. Indian Hill in Claremont. The new, larger location will carry 3 times as much product. www.stellalucy.com
Tags: gluten free food, gluten free food fair, orange county Celiac Sprue Association
November 10th, 2009 at 7:36 am
Dear Elizabeth & Georgianna,
It was very nice to meet you both at the CSA Faire. Our “stories” sound very similar and the passion behind creating our businesses. As “Warrior” Moms (as mentioned on my website/menus)…”we had to take matters into our own hands” and to think outside the box to create creative products not only for our children but the rising population of persons with food allergies.
Best of luck!
Georgina Seeck
Founder
Green Cupcakes & More
November 17th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
An interesting read and although I like many have tried several of the latest diets I have not been able to stick with them for various reasons. My last attempt is scheduled for next month and researchng the latest diets I have heard some good things about the Fat Burning Furnace. Has anyone here tried it and is it any good?
November 19th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
I REALLY liked your post and blog! It took me a little bit to find your site…but I book marked it. Would you mind if I but a link back to your site?
December 1st, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Dude… good post! I might actually even listen to what you are saying. Overall your whole blog is great… I am digging it. Peace!
December 4th, 2010 at 1:40 am
This is awesome. I will link to you on my blog if you don’t mind.