Vancouver Gluten Free Expo 2014

The scene outside the Expo before opening on Saturday..not bad!

In all honesty, I almost didn’t go.

I know what you’re thinking.

SASSY!  How could you have NOT gone to the Expo?  I mean, these are your people!  This your place!  This is what it’s all about!

And you’re right.  I live for the Expo every year and wish there were even more gluten-free/Celiac events.  But you know, life does happen.  My transportation options are limited, as are finances, not to mention my trip to the ER only days before.

So, I am VERY thankful that I was able to attend and it was truly a great event 🙂

I have to hand it to Margaret Dron, she definitely is learning and growing with each Expo, and this one seemed to have all the prior kinks worked out!  No gigantic lines, no people getting turned away (that I know of?), no major traffic congestion.  I did not attend the presentations this year so I’m not sure how the volume and seating was there, but I peeked at it and it seemed like it would work well.

And the exhibitors…OH, the exhibitors!  The sheer NUMBER of exhibitors was astounding!  There was a great balance of new and “old”, and I love when some of the well-known companies launch fun new products.  There were also plenty of dairy free, and also corn, soy, nut, etc free options (though if I had a severe nut allergy I might have been nervous, but I’m sure actions were taken to avoid cross-contamination).  There was also a blend of super healthy products mixed among decadence and indulgence.  And let’s not forget about the great deals!!!  I saw one guy pushing a stroller with about four or five full bags of loot hanging off the sides!  Lastly, I definitely have to mention the samples.  I was getting so full!  You get all excited in the beginning and want to try anything, but next time I will seriously pace myself LOL  It was nice to see how generous everyone was, though, and I was grateful for any of the samples I was able to take home and enjoy on my own time. 🙂

Here are some of my favorites from this year’s Expo:

RUMBLE: SASSY’S BEST OF SHOW FOR 2014!!!

Can I please be your spokesdmodel? 😉

 Most of you know that when I review a product I look at more than just taste.  Rumble is one of those products that I could rave about for quite some time, but I’ll try to keep it somewhat concise!  First, what is it?  Basically, it is a highly nutritious ready-to-drink beverage.  But it’s so much more than that.  The Rumble backstory is phenomenal.  Paul Underhill, born with Cystic Fibrosis and now thriving after a double lung transplant, developed Rumble in his own kitchen out of a desire to optimally fuel his transplant wait, recovery, and his now-active lifestyle.  I spoke with him briefly at the Expo and when I mentioned how I’ve been struggling with my appetite lately, Paul said that was a struggle for him, too.  I’ve been looking for healthy and easy ways to make sure I’m still getting nutrients when I’m not hungry.  The choices are usually Ensure/Boost, which are full of fake stuff, or protein powders which are difficult to choose from and even then I have to add hemp/fish oil, berries, and greens…so we knows that involves heavy blender usage!

The cool thing about Rumble is that Paul and his team made sure to research and use the most highly absorbable and useful protein, which most studies show is whey.  Yet, even though they use milk and whey proteins, the drink remains 99.8% lactose-free and is easy to digest even for most people with lactose issues.  It contains 20g of protein per servings which is pretty much the perfect amount and is comparable to more than 3 eggs, but with only 10mg of cholesterol.  Next, it includes 3100mg of Omega 3’s in the form of flaxseed and walnut/pumpkinseed oil, giving it a desirable 3 : 1 omega 3 to omega 6 ratio that is proven to suppress inflammation and reduce the risk of chronic diseases (wherein, a lower ratio produces a more positive effect and most common diets are far too high in omega 6).  I think my favorite part might be that it includes antioxidants and greens in the form of green tea extract (though it’s caffeine-free), pomegranate extract, kale, spinach, and black currant, cherry, and red beet juice concentrates, which adds up to the equivalent of 1 apple, 1.5 cups of broccoli, and 1 cup of berries.  And guess what!  8 grams of fibre!  That’s pretty rad.  Your daily recommended intake is around 20-30 grams and this is in liquid form and does NOT cause stomach upset or flatulence.  What it doesn’t contain is gluten, soy, GMOs, or anything artificial, and Dutch Cocoa is nut-free!  Naturally sweetened with maple syrup, agave nectar, and stevia, it contains only 1g of simple sugars per bottle.

All that, and it comes in a fun resealable, recyclable/repurposeable bottle and…you betcha…it tastes GREAT!  It’s super smooth and creamy, yet not overly so, light tasting, refreshing, and comes in Dutch Cocoa and Vanilla Maple, both equally fantastic.

Perfect for those struggling with appetite, people on the go, post-surgery recovery, post-workout recovery, and anyone looking to boost their health.  Find it at Thrifty Foods, Choices Markets, and other health food markets near you using the Buy function on the Rumble website.

PLEASE DO ENJOY!

Canyon Bakehouse Gluten Free Breads:  Canyon Bakehouse is definitely the other company that colored me most impressed!  I’ve pretty much given up buying gluten-free bread unless it’s from a gluten-free bakery, and even then it’s “iffy”.  It tends to only last a couple of days or requires freezing and then toasting and/or it’s often not worth the expense when I still can’t make a darn sandwich!

However, Canyon Bakehouse has renewed my sandwich-eating hopes and I can’t wait to find it!I tried the 7-grain and the “not-Rye” Deli Rye Style…yep, rye taste without the rye!  Unfortunately, the exhibitor didn’t seem incredibly familiar with the product or Celiac Disease when I questioned the rye bread, wondering how it could be gluten-free if it was rye, but a quick look at the package itself gave me my answers.  With no rye included, I think the addition of caraway seeds definitely assists in the rye-like taste.

I have sometimes found with gluten-free breads that for some reason they are softer and taste better at the Expos than they do when I find them in stores.  Sometimes it’s because they are in the freezer section and don’t taste the same once defrosted.  The woman wasn’t sure whether they would be in the freezer section or found fresh.

If these breads are as soft and yummy as they were at the Expo, I will happily make the first sandwich I’ve made in a long, long time and will love to add this staple back into my lunch options! Editors Note: Since writing this, I have delightfully found Canyon Bakehouse in the gluten-free frozen section of my local Superstore and have already gone back for more!

Food for Life: I’m not incredibly familiar with Food for Life’s products, but let me tell you, they make an INCREDIBLE English Muffin.  Granted, it is the first gluten-free english muffin I’ve tried, but truly was delightful.  I can’t even imagine how great they would be as part of a yummy Eggs Benedict!  Here are a few tidbits about the company:

“From our pastas and breads, to our cereals, tortillas and english muffins we literally strive to bring you the very best food for your life.

• Our diet-specific products are certified by 3rd parties for peace of mind.

• The majority of ingredients in our products are certified organic.

• We use sprouted grains in the majority of our products .

• Our products are certified kosher.

• We don’t’ use any genetically modified organisms (GMOs)

• We don’t use anything artificial – no preservatives, shortenings or refined sugars.

• We use a unique slow-bake process to preserve the natural fiber and bran benefits of grains.

Being aware and respecting what your body needs and requires is not a stigma, it’s a way of living a healthier more active life – and we are here to support you on your journey.”

Kitchening & Co:  Another company that I know little about, but whom I adore!  Not just for their absolutely divine and to-die-for gluten-free macarons, but for the people behind the product.  I’ve met the Kitchening & Co staff a couple times at Expos and Food Fairs and they are friendly and personable and bubbly and kind!  They truly care about their product and the community that simply loves to consume it.

They are true to their claims of being all about community, making the best products, relationships, healthy and balanced living, and supporting local businesses and food sources.  They use no artificial colors or flavors in their aesthetically pleasing macarons, which is amazing, because these cute desserts look too good to eat…and yet, I can’t help myself 🙂  Did I mention my birthday is coming up?  You could not go wrong with a beautiful gift box of these delectable delights!  Available at many places in Vancouver, but stationed in Fort Langley; I’ll be checking out Lee’s Market!

Happy Planet: Soup is pretty easy and inexpensive to make, but it is time-consuming.  Yet, finding ready-made and HEALTHY gluten-free soups can prove a bit difficult.  Campbell’s still only makes a handful of gluten-free soups and most aren’t crazy healthy.  You might know Happy Planet for their delicious juices, but you should really check them out for their fantastic soups!  I love that the company was started by two guys and a blender 🙂  They are also local and Canadian!  Happy Planet provides mostly organic and while their products are not GMO, they are still working on their GMO certification.

I was excited to see they have even released a new line of locally-inspired soups that includes Chilliwack Broccoli and Cheddar!!!  However, the only gluten-free locally-inspired soup is the Chatham Carrot & Ginger…please work on this, Happy Planet!  Soup does NOT require gluten!  Even so, all their juices and smoothies and 10 of their soups are gluten-free and I invite you to try the Thai Coconut Soup as it is FABULOUS!  They’re made fresh and are found in a refrigerator section and your purchase helps support Food Banks across Canada! BONUS!

Bio-K+: My doctor has told me that I need to always take probiotics.  Unfortunately, they are not covered by MediCare and they’re quite pricey if you want good quality.  When I want the BEST quality and I can afford it (or can’t afford not to, like maybe during/after my 8 weeks of antibiotics for SIBO), I go for Bio-K+.  Listen up, lactose-intolerants and dairy-avoiders because they even have a fermented rice formula that is dairy, corn, gluten, soy, and sugar free.  I like that they are used by hospitals throughout Canada and the United States and that proof of results is demonstrated by published clinical studies.  I switch probiotics all the time and have yet to notice any difference.  However, if I could afford Bio-K+ all the time or get it covered, I think I might notice a difference, and as recommended by the dietitian and consultant at the show, I will be working with my doctor to try to get it covered when he returns.

The Gluten Free Chef: These guys make a great pizza crust, and I’ll let you in on a little secret…I’m pizza-obsessed!  I have yet to find a gluten-free pizza that is even close to the type of yummy pizza I used to enjoy in moderation, however, this crust is definitely tasty.  I really like the texture.  Gluten, nut, dairy, egg, and soy free, they are currently only being sold online and at Expos.  I recommend giving SPUD.COM a shot if you’re interested in ordering.  SPUD is a sustainable grocery urban delivery service and first time users can get a $40 box (looks like the size of a big apple box) full of seasonal, locally sourced, organic produce delivered to your door for only $20!  No delivery fee on this box, and YES, even to Chilliwack!  I think that is definitely worth checking out, and I will certainly be doing so for next month 🙂

Enerjive Quinoa Skinny Crackers: I had never seen or heard of these and I was pleasantly surprised!  Created after receiving a gluten intolerance diagnosis and having a disappointing encounters with chalky bread, Enerjive is all about “Yummy Health”.  I love that they have both savory and sweet options!  I’m a savory person; how about you?  When I saw the different flavors, I remember saying I wanted to try them ALL.  Yet, after trying one I realized I would not be able to do so…they are surprisingly very filling!  Which I think is GREAT because I wouldn’t end up eating an entire box. 🙂 The texture is fantastic.  They are a hearty, thick cracker that is thinner than a crostini but would hold up to dipping and toppings like a crostini would!  Great on their own or with dips, they are gluten, dairy, corn, nut, and GMO free and made in a dedicated gluten-free facility.  All appear to be soy-free, except for the Chocolate FIX flavor, and contain no artificial coloring, preservatives, or flavoring.  Choose from BELLA Savoury Italian, Garlic Cayenne HEAT, Rock Salt CRAVE, Lemon Berry BURST, or Chocolate FIX!

OOGIE’S:  Looking for a decently-priced, fairly accessible, and delicious snack from a rad company?!  Reach for OOGIE’S!  As always, this tasty treat is gluten-free, non-GMO, all-natural, trans-fat and cholesterol free.  What’s new from OOGIE’S?  Well, they’ve got some new bold flavors like Hatch Chili con Queso; cheesy with a kick…and their first dairy-free flavor: Spicy Chipotle & Lime.  And with the big bags they sell at Costco, they are very hard to pass up!

Udi’s:  So there’s a bit of confusion surrounding Udi’s lately.  I’m still not exactly sure if they’ll be changing the name of their beloved breads or if it is only the Denver-area restaurant, catering, and bakery establishments that will be changing their name…but I’m PRETTY SURE, the brand many have come to love will not be changing.  And I know for sure their famous recipes will indeed stay the same.  I’m pretty familiar with Udi’s, but for over a year I’ve been on the lookout for some of their new products…specifically, their new “Everything Inside” bagels.  Thankfully, the lovely people at Udi’s sent me home with a very special sample, and let me tell you, it was worth the wait!  You’ve heard of an Everything bagel, right?  Well, the Everything Inside bagel is everything that an Everything bagel is…except all the goodness is baked INSIDE the bagel instead of on top, and is not only delightful, but avoids all the mess!  Great job, Udi’s!  I do hope to figure things out with their site, though.  While I can find the US/Canada site by searching certain items, if I type in udisglutenfree.com it takes me to the UK site.  A little bit confusing, to say the least!

Mmmm…Udi’s!

Farafena: Farafena (which means Africa) offers several natural and organic products and is committed to developing sustainable agro businesses, collaborating with local entrepreneurs, women’s cooperatives, and family-owned businesses in the Sahel region of Mali.  I didn’t actually have the pleasure of sampling their product, but they offer a gluten-free flour from a grain I have never heard of.  Fonio is supposedly tasty, light, easily digestible, and is low on the glycemic index.  I’m curious how it performs in recipes!  They also offer things like shea butter, dried mango, and something called Moringa powder, a superfood that is said to improve energy levels and general health.  I’m not exactly sure where to find their products, though some are sold on Etsy, and you can email/phone them for more information.

Judy G:  Here’s my bottom line with Judy G gluten-free pizzas…I tried their Roasted Mediterranean Artichoke pizza at the Expo and I didn’t even NOTICE that there wasn’t any CHEESE on it!!!  I’m a total cheese monster, and after months and months of lactose-free, my gut has healed to a point that I can (and do) enjoy it in moderation, so I normally wouldn’t even BOTHER with a dairy-free pizza.  So to be impressed by a dairy-free, cheeseless pizza is truly saying something, in my eyes 🙂  Judy G provides frozen crusts and prepared pizzas that are free from most common allergens, including crusts free from gluten, soy, egg, and dairy/lactose, and a Lactose-Free Cheese Trio that is topped with organic lactose-free cheese!  As I do still limit my dairy consumption, I would definitely like to give this one a try!  Her two meat-containing pizzas are even free of sulphites!  I’m still on the lookout for these and will likely have to request them in my area, however they should be available at Marketplace IGAs throughout BC, as well as Sobeys/Thrifty Foods throughout Western Canada…I’ll be printing off the request form if I still can’t find them!

Explore Asian: I’m pretty excited about this product and I know some of my American fans have already found it and love it 🙂  Explore Asian offers several products, but I am currently most interested in their gluten-free Organic Bean Pasta!  With four varieties, including mung bean, soybean, black bean, and adzuki, these unique pastas are chock full of PROTEIN and FIBER with less carbs than other pasta…that’s a win in my book and for anyone who is regulating their blood sugar.  Also great for vegetarians looking for a fast protein source that might be a bit tastier than a bowl of beans!  The black bean variety reminds me of soba noodles that I once loved and can be served warm or cold.  While I don’t often do soy, they also have soybean noodle soups which would be great on the go and since they use 100% organic soybean, at least it’s non-GMO soy.  These are also high protein and fiber, and even high in iron…though, I might avoid the “salt sachet” as it contributes an additional 606mg of sodium (that’s somewhat expected of an instant noodle soup and at least you have the option).  In BC, you can find Explore Asian in select Vancouver stores, or order online from Low Carb Canada.  I was under the impression that they are currently expanding, so be on the lookout!

Glutenberg:  While I did not get to sample this new gluten-free beer due to, you know, the law…I really would like to give it a try!  I like that there are several options: Blonde, American Pale Ale, Red, and Belgian Double!  Yummy!  I’ll see if I can get a sample of these for review for you guys 🙂  And even though I didn’t get to try these, I had to mention them and post this photo because, let’s face it, this guy’s moustache is RAD! 🙂

hOMegrown Living Foods:  With the emphasis on “OM”, this is my kind of company.  Not just gluten-free, but grain-free, sprouted, raw, no added sugar, low GI, organic, and local!  I didn’t get to try a lot of their product, but this is definitely something I would snack on.  They have kale crisps, cookie-type snacks, and they even had these neat skinny little bagels that were good on their own but would be good with some sort of nut butter or hummus-like spread.  And it’s all sprouted and dehydrated at low temperatures so it remains RAWesome 😉  And here’s a tasty scoop for you: Visit their online store and receive 25% off your first purchase with coupon code HGSHOP !  Enjoy!

So, there you have it!  There were plenty, PLENTY more companies and products and awesomeness, but these ones really stood out for me.  I hope this review encourages you to search for and try out some new products and maybe find some new favorites for yourself!  Much thanks to Margaret Dron for a wonderful, fully gluten-free Expo that gets better each time!

And lastly, a special mention to Kathy Smart, award-winning author and amazing all-around person, who was the lead guest speaker at the Expo: While my energy and pain levels didn’t allow me to stick around for your talk, speaking to you was one of the highlights of my YEAR 🙂  The lovely things you said about me to my mother were so kind and thoughtful and you inspire me to keep going with my blog even when it’s super difficult!  Thank you for those words, which I will never forget, and I can’t wait to see you again and maybe even hang out one day 🙂 xoxo

My mom might have been a little shaky taking the photo…OOPS!

Sincerely,

Sassy

Vancouver Gluten Free Expo: Guts and Glory 2013

There was definitely a lot to see at this year’s Vancouver Gluten Free Expo! I found nearly everything I was looking for or hoping for, but there were a couple things I was unable to find:

• A husband! LOL I maintain that there needs to be a Gluten-Free Singles meet-up/booth/website 😉
• A Gluten-Free “First Aid” Booth: I came across a woman with her daughter, who was complaining of a very upset stomach and the poor mother didn’t know what to do. It’s not all about the food. So many have multiple intolerances/allergies that they were unable to try a lot of the food items, anyways. I would have liked to see a booth offering samples of herbal teas and/or supplements, tinctures for people who were under digestive distress. The Ginger People, for example, would have made a great exhibitor, with their Ginger Soother beverage and other tummy taming ginger products. David’s Tea may have been another good choice, as all their teas are gluten-free. I REALLY would have liked to see GT’s Kombucha products! They aren’t available in my area, so they are a rare, incredibly beneficial, treat!

Based on this year’s capacity issues, next year will likely be even bigger and spread over two days. I do think this is a great idea, but I also hope that they will have the same speakers on both days, as it is unfair to have to choose, and would probably be impossible to attend both days, especially for anyone travelling from out of town.

My other comment about this goes back to the wonderful Choices Market Gluten-Free Event that I attended last year. It was an amazing event, but I was disappointed to hear that it would be the last of its kind because the Gluten-Free Expo would be taking over from now on. What this means is that the whole gluten-free community is supposed to rely on one event per year, and if they can’t make that day (or if they can’t even get in), then they are left with no other options. I think it is clear that there is more than enough demand that places like Choices can put on smaller events throughout the year. We deal with Celiac Disease/gluten-free every single day of our lives. To try and encompass that in a one day event, once every year seems somewhat nonsensical. We enjoy these smaller venues, as well!

Okay, that being said, let’s get on to the good stuff. There were a TON of amazing vendors and products. Unfortunately, because of my elimination diet, I wasn’t able to sample as many of the items as I would have liked, but luckily there are some companies who are willing to send me some products for review once I get all my foods sorted out! I’ll touch on the speakers in a separate post, but know that they were also spectacular!

• GIDDY YOYO: amazing raw, wild Ecuadorian chocolate that is gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, soy-free, non-GMO, and contains no lecithins, this is SASSY’S PICK OF THE SHOW! Read my review of this fabulous product and company here and look forward to a GIVEAWAY in the near future!
• Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss Ice Cream: a delicious gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free ice cream alternative from a delightful family-founded company, with 14 dazzling flavors! Read my thoughts on the Coconut love here.
• Martin’s Marvelous Naturals: Excellent friends from the last Expo, Martin’s Marvelous continues to produce splendid gluten-free, nut-free products made with REAL and LOCALLY-SOURCED ingredients (well, local to ME, anyways *wink*). You can read my review of their crisps and cookies, and keep an eye out for my review of their latest product (after my elimination diet): Martin’s Marvelous Naturals Gluten-Free Flour Blend. Designed as a cup-for-cup for wheat flour, it contains only organic brown rice flour, millet flour, organic sorghum flour, organic chia seeds, and organic psyllium husk. No gums, no startches, and no cellulose necessary! Find recipes for this new flour in the Notes section of their Facebook Page.
• Galloway’s Specialty Foods: Located in Richmond, BC, these guys do more than gluten-free, but I was very impressed with their setup at the Expo, and with their overall kindness and personability. Not only did they have great pins stating “Gluten-Free Since” on which they would write your special year, but they had these precious magnets, that appeared to be a huge hit with EVERYONE!
  

  I’M NOT A PICKY EATER. I’M A CREATIVE CONSUMER. And no, it’s not a curse to eat this way (I swear). IT’S NOT EVEN BORING. It’s actually kind of fun. (OK, MORE LIKE “CHALLENGING”.) I DON’T EAT WHITE BREAD OR SMARTIES. I CAN’T *KISS* SOMEONE WHO JUST ATE A DINNER ROLL. AND I HAVE TO PAS ON THE FISH STICKS. BUT I CAN DEVOUR A STACK OF BUCKWHEAT PANCAKES & APPLESAUCE. I BELIEVE WHOLE-HEARTEDLY IN TE GOODNESS OF RICE AND THE GIFT OF QUINOA. Sure, I had to break up with croissants for breakfast and bruschetta at fancy restaurants. BU WHAT DID WHEAT EVER DO FOR ME ANYWAY? We’re both better off. I LIKE THE WAY I EAT. GLUTEN FREE FOREVER!

  They had some very good deals going during the Expo, but looking at their website, it appears they have decent prices overall and a wide selection. I was told that any of their bulk gluten-free packaged products are processed and packaged in an entirely separate room from other bulk packaged items, and that soon they will become a completely dedicated gluten-free packaging facility. Galloway’s has been in the gluten-free game for decades, which means they’re serious about it, a quality I find both important and honourable! They were giving away samples of a “Filbert Cake”, which they were also selling in pretty mason jars, to which you would only have to add eggs. I can’t seem to find them on their website, but Giovanni assured me he’d somehow get me one of those cakes when I’m able to eat them again 😉 If I were you, though, I’d rush in and grab one now, (if there are any left?) as they are only available in the convenient mason jars for a limited time ($6.99).

• Giggles Fun Dough: One of few non-food vendors, Giggles Fun Dough offers a stellar gluten-, allergen-, artificial dye/color-, and fragrance-free playdough from a dedicated facility! Through their experience with food allergies/intolerances, Colleen and Cheryl realized (as many of us have) that it’s not all about the food. While my nephew is not Celiac (that we know of?), I remember all too well attending preschool with him one day last year and being afraid to join him with the playdough fun. I can only imagine what it would be like for a child having to use gloves or being told they couldn’t play. The food part is difficult enough. So, kudos, ladies, on a product that can change a child’s experience! And it felt every bit like the playdough I once knew, if not even SOFTER and better 🙂
• Sweet Tooth Cakery: Located in North Vancouver, this boutique bakery is 100% gluten-free, specializing in cakes, cookies, breads, other sweets, and especially fully decorated, beautiful wedding and special occasion cakes. In fact, I hope to have them create my birthday cake this year, as I feel I’ve missed out on my last two birthdays because of Celiac Disease, but due to my limited transportation I may have to wait another year 😛 They also offer many dairy-free, egg-free, sugar-free, and vegan options. The owner/creator/baker/cake-decorator discovered she had Celiac Disease in 2006 and initially gave up baking, but I think I can speak for many when I say I’m glad for her triumphant return! Just check out the Gallery photos! They also had these cutesy wristbands, which are now for sale at the shop for $1, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Celiac Association!
• Joseph’s at Home: Am I surprised that this brilliant product idea came from my long lost love, Victoria, BC? Absolutely not! Joseph’s at Home makes gluten-free baking the EASIEST by offering gourmet, ready to bake, frozen gluten-free/dairy-free muffin batter and gluten-free cookie dough! That’s right, you can make a little or a lot (or eat the batter off the spoon…though I know I’ll get yelled at about eggs) and quickly have fresh-baked muffins or cookies! It’s like the Pillsbury Dough Boy of the gluten-free world 🙂 The flours used are bean-based and the doughs will keep in the fridge for 30 days or in your freezer for an entire year. As a single Celiac, I really like the idea of being able to nix my cookie fix by just baking a couple fresh cookies, instead of having to buy (and likely eat) an entire box of (generally) dry cookies. This genius product is only available in a few places in Victoria, and I was unable to try out the taste/texture (because of elimination diet), but I’m hoping to test some in the near future, report back, and maybe figure out how to get this product into some grocery/specialty stores so everyone can enjoy!
• Cloud 9 Specialty Bakery: What makes it “special”? Aside from being completely gluten-free, this relatively new bakery in New Westminster, BC also offers their “secret ingredient” baking mix that is said to be a perfect replacement for wheat flour…no additions necessary! While I don’t know the whole story, from what I have heard, the highly personable founder, Ray, and his precious mother, Pixie, worked tirelessly on this secret mix until it was just right! The magic ingredients are rice flour, buckwheat, corn starch, potato starch, and xanthan gum, delicately balanced for an all-purpose gluten-free flour. I have had the pleasure of enjoying their bread and a few cookies in the past (thanks to a friend commuting past! Thanks, NB!), and they were, indeed, delicious. The bread, in particular, I remember being moist, pliable, and had a great flavor. Cloud 9 offers numerous other mixes, fresh-baked goods, and what I am told is the BEST gluten-free pizza crust ever…I will have to find a way there and be the judge of that! I have yet to find a gluten-free pizza crust that could rival the real thing, but perhaps it does exist…on Cloud 9 😉 Ray has plans to open five more locations in the Lower Mainland, so “perfect happiness” may soon be even more accessible!
• Nature’s Path: Though not a dedicated gluten-free company, Nature’s Path is most certainly a dedicated Non-GMO company, which is lovely…and the gluten-free products they do provide are lovely, as well! Their story is a great one, beginning with a family farm back in the ‘30’s, North America’s first certified organic cereal processing plant in beautiful British Columbia in 1990, and long-standing aspirations of maintaining sustainability while offering delicious and exciting products. Gorilla Munch seems to be a favorite among the Celiac community, and I enjoy the Sunrise Vanilla Crunch…though, I must say that I have enjoyed every Nature’s Path cereal I’ve tried! They also offer gluten-free waffles, crispy rice bars, and a brand new product called Qi’a. Qi’a is a superfood, consisting of organic chia seeds, buckwheat groats, and hemp seeds. Two tablespoons of the Original flavour Qi’a contains 2.5g of omega 3’s and omega 6’s, 4g of fibre, 6g of protein, and absolutely no sugar, and can be added to cereal, yogurt, milk/milk substitute. Allow it to soak for 5 min and away you go! The lovely rep at the Expo was kind enough to offer me a bag to sample after my elimination diet is over, so keep an eye out for a review of this exciting new product!
• Comensoli Foods: A dedicated gluten-free facility in Port Coquitlam, BC, Comensoli was a brand I had not seen before. At the Expo, they were serving up pizza on their pizza shells, and they seemed to be a hit! Again, I could not test it out, but it smelled and looked great 🙂 Available in several stores in the lower mainland, with options to shop online, they boast, “Delicious food…that just happens to be gluten-free”. Aside from pizza shells (can you tell that I love pizza, yet?), they offer muffins, breads, and brownies, as well as a variety of baking mixes for those who enjoy their gluten-free goodies to be fresh from the oven (or stove-top or waffle iron). For those new to Celiac or gluten-free, their website also provides a resource page, full of helpful links and info. My only (minor) complaint is that they refer to the entire gluten-free community as “an often overlooked population of allergy sufferers”. While there are people with severe and dangerous allergies to gluten and wheat and THEY ARE IMPORTANT, they do not comprise the entire gluten-free community. Comensoli’s saving grace is that when they DO describe Celiac Disease, it is described accurately. This may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I place importance on accurate information.
• WENDEL’S TRUEFOODS: a family-owned business, Wendel’s Bookstore & Café decided to go gluten-free after witnessing a young boy crying as he stared into their pastry case, as he was unable to have any of the gluten-filled goodies. It all started with the creation of a delicious gluten-free cookie, and now their dedicated bakery caters to their Bookstore & Café, other restaurants, and retail stores. They also have gone beyond cookies to offer a variety of tarts (the chocolate-dipped pecan tart looks particularly delightful), brownie bars, carrot cake, and, something I have not yet had since my diagnosis: Gluten-Free Nanaimo Bars! Their focus is on Certified Gluten-Free goods that taste amazing and are made with simple, carefully selected, and mostly organic ingredients, when possible. Wendel’s was kind enough to offer me a gift basket when I’ve completed my elimination diet, so stay tuned for a review of these tantalizing products!
• O’Dough’s: I know O’Dough’s for their fabulous Flax Pizza Kit, which comes equipped with pizza sauce packets. They’re my favorite pre-made pizza crusts so far, and it’s partly because of the included sauce…makes it so much easier when I get that pizza craving to just run to the store, grab a box and some cheese. No leftover sauce that usually goes to waste. Simple, yet brilliant. And while the crusts are thin (as most gluten-free crusts), they are not paper-thin, and they are SOFT, which is something I appreciate. A crispy thin-crust is nice once in a while, but it is certainly not my favorite. The pamphlet they handed out at the Expo shows many products that I’ve never seen in the stores I frequent, such as 3 varieties of cakes, breakfast buns, and a white variety of their pizza kit. They are also launching 3 varieties of muffins; Wild Blueberry, Banana Chocolate Chip, and Double Chocolate. I remember enjoying an O’Dough’s blueberry muffin at last year’s Gluten Free Expo and it was scrumptious and soft and what a muffin should taste like! So watch for these at your local grocer, and if you don’t see them, you can always place a request!
• Judy G Gluten-Free Pizzas: What sets Judy G apart from many of the other pre-made gluten-free pizzas is that they are free from up to 10 of the most common allergens. A Calgary-based company, they are available in select stores throughout Western Canada, including select Marketplace IGA’s in British Columbia. I know I’ll be checking with my local IGA to see if I can get a taste of Judy G’s!
• Mayacama’s Fine Foods: Talk about Gluten-Free and Saucy! Mayacama’s offers a variety of soup, gravy, pasta sauce, and skillet toss mixes that are tested to be gluten-free. Sauces are one of the sneakiest culprits of hidden gluten, leaving many gluten-free’ers sauceless and bored. I highly recommend their hollandaise sauce…I used to love my eggs benny’s, and the taste of this mix was indistinguishable from the gluten-filled variety I used to enjoy at brunch. It’s been a while since I’ve tasted it, but if my egg reintroduction goes well, you better believe I will be giving it another taste 🙂 It would be great to see restaurants using these products.
• Daiya: Why Daiya? In Sanskrit, Dayaa means “loving, kindness, and compassion”, values upon which the company is founded. But what else is Daiya? A gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, rice-free, tree nut-free, peanut-free, vegan alternative to…CHEESE! So what IS it made of, I have often been asked. Mostly tapioca/arrowroot flours and pea protein. Many with Celiac Disease, especially in the healing phase, find themselves to be lactose and/or casein intolerant. Daiya is the only dairy-free cheese alternative that I have found to even remotely compare to actual cheese. I prefer the shreds, but they also carry wedges, and each comes in 3 flavor varieties. The shreds come in cheddar, mozzarella, and pepperjack, and the wedges come in cheddar, jack, and jalapeno garlic havarti. I spoke with a rep at the Expo, and I am hoping to work with the people at Daiya soon to offer you all a giveaway!
• Cocomira: These samples were hard to pass up at the Expo! I have neither tried nor heard of this product, but I will be on the lookout for it when/if I can. Cocomira offers what appears to be chocolatey toffee-y goodness. All except the Dark Chocolate Crunch variety are free from high fructose corn syrup (why only the dark chocolate variety contains this is strange to me, but good to know). The Mocha Latte Crunch is the only variety that doesn’t contain nuts, but it is manufactured in a facility that processes nuts. And all of them contain dairy and that pesky soy lecithin. However, they are all gluten-free and look delicious, so if you are able, I would give them a try! Cocomira can be found across Canada and the Eastern seabord states, and can also be ordered online and delivered to your door.
• Wise Bites: Another favorite company to speak with, Wise Bites seems to be a small-starter that is going big places! Their products are free of the top 11 allergens, are non-GMO, made mostly from quinoa flour and are dominantly sweetened with organic date paste! I like that they mention that they would be an allergy-safe treat to send to school, something that really must be considered these days. Wise Bites offers cookies, muffins, bars, and a variety of packaged goods, such as dairy-free chocolate chips and organic crystallized ginger. Their products are available throughout the lower mainland and can be purchased online. I would definitely like to sample their products in the near future 🙂

Well, that about sums up most of the vendors I was able to meet & greet and/or pass by and grab info from at the frenzied 2013 Vancouver Gluten Free Expo. As you will notice, and especially because I wasn’t able to try all the products, that I decided to go a little further and tell you about the companies behind the products. This is something that I am finding more and more important: being an informed consumer. Plus, I just find it fascinating to hear some of the stories!

I hope you enjoyed my summaries and that they may be some source of gluten-free guidance! I’d love to hear if you’ve tried any of the above products and your thoughts on them!

Sincerely,

Sassy

Luna and Larry’s Coconut Bliss Ice Cream

I think by now many of you have noticed my penchant for all things COCONUT.

While a great dairy substitute for some, I do know that AT LEAST two of my close friends (SP and JL) are allergic.  If you are also allergic to coconut, my condolences.

For those of you able to enjoy coconut, I think you will find Luna & Larry’s Coconut Bliss ice cream to be a real treat!

Free of dairy, soy, and OF COURSE, gluten, Coconut Bliss is a creamy alternative that is made with love.

A family-founded company, reading through the staff’s personal profiles I can really get a sense of love, peace, and bliss that is involved in every aspect of their operation.

“My wish is for people to be the love they wish to feel!!!”

– Chris G, Inside Sales Educator, Magic Culinary Creator

“Always do at least one thing each day that gives you immense pleasure & revel in those little moments – like dancing like a maniac when no one is watching, or digging through 1/3 of the pint going after the fudge ribbon in Naked Almond Fudge!”

– Christina S, Organizer Extraordinaire, Foodie and Fermentation Goddess

They have an incredible list of sustainability protocols, go beyond Fair Trade, are USDA Certified Organic, have personal involvement with the organic coconut farm in Thailand that produces their coconut milk under strict guidelines, have a fantastic allergen control program, and even impressive office practices such as offering incentives to those who regularly ride their bikes to work!

And if their way of doing business doesn’t impress you, perhaps these flavors will:

• Lunaberry Swirl
• Chocolate Walnut Brownie
• Ginger Cookie Caramel (I truly hope to find this one!  How yummy does that sound?!)
• Mocha Maca Crunch
• Naked Almond Fudge
• Pineapple Coconut
• Chocolate Peanut Butter
• Naked Coconut
• Dark Chocolate
• Vanilla Island
• Mint Galactica
• Cappucino
• Cherry Amaretto
• Chocolate Hazelnut Fudge
• Naked Coconut Bars
• Dark Chocolate Bars

Before the Vancouver Gluten Free Expo 2013, I honestly had no idea of the existence of such an extensive list of flavors!  I’ve had “another brand” of coconut ice cream, and they had far fewer flavors, plus, from what I remember, it was far less creamy.

Check the website for Where to Buy and enjoy your own tub of bliss.  There is no Luna & Larry’s in my neighbourhood as of yet, but I will definitely be on the lookout on my next trip to Choice’s Market in South Surrey!

Sincerely,

Sassy

GIDDY YOYO: Best Chocolate Ever!

With a name like GIDDY YOYO…I honestly had no idea what it was! But man, do I love that name 🙂

As it turns out, it’s only the BEST CHOCOLATE I’VE EVER TASTED and SASSY’S PICK OF THE SHOW for the Vancouver Gluten Free Expo 2013 honestly not sure I can go back to eating any other kind of chocolate…which is unfortunate, as so far it is not available in my area (though they did mention plans to talk to Sardis Health Foods and Them Beans, so my fingers are crossed!).

What makes it so good? Allow me to list the ways:

• RAW-esome! It is 100% raw, meaning it contains more nutrients and no mycotoxins, mold, or yeasts so you don’t get that JITTERY feeling you get from some dark chocolate.
• Less is more! Containing only the best small-list of certified organic ingredients. Along with “Love and Gratitude”, their bars contain heirloom Ecuadorian Arriba Nacional cacao paste, sun-dried fully mineralized cane juice, cacao butter, and essential oils/spices. That’s it!
• GLUTEN-FREE, of course, but also free of refined sugar, dairy, soy, and lecithins, plus they are made in a nut-free facility. And most certainly NON-GMO!
• Fair and square! GIDDY YOYO deals directly with farmers and pays them a rate that is beyond fair trade standards.
• No irrigation irritation! They only use fully ripened pods from mature trees grown in mineral rich high elevation soil that is watered solely from rain and mountain springs.
• They go all the way! From bean to bar, they are invested in every step: from the trees of Ecuador to the final packaged product in Ontario, Canada.
• OH CANADA! Did I mention they’re Canadian?
• Feelin’ LOVE! More than other chocolates, this pure, raw bar truly elevates mood, invigorates the senses, is an aphrodisiac, and improves cognition.

While they do carry other products (the sun-dried banana spears were particulary fabulous), here is their line of chocolate bars (their new website is on its way, so I will go with what I saw at the Expo). I believe the lowest cacao percentage for any of the bars was 70%, most of them being 76% or higher. The flavors I tasted and HIGHLY enjoyed are highlighted:

• Original
• Vanilla (with a touch of salt)
• Mint (fresh from the garden)
• Orange
• Spicy
• Ginger (a balance of ginger and lemon)
• Spirulina
• Banana Nutmeg (with bits of sun-dried banana spears…so GOOD!)
• XTRA DARK (pretty sure this was 90% cacao and boasts of not being bitter)
• Chaga (I would have liked to try this one; it says it is an immune-boosting local product!

“GIDDY YOYO IS NOT A HEALTHY VERSION OF AN UNHEALTHY FOOD. IT IS THE AUTHENTIC VERSION OF AN INCREDIBLE FOOD.”

What more can I say?

Now I want some chocolate! Some GIDDY YOYO chocolate!

If you are lucky enough to be in an area where you can get your hands on some of this stuff, I strongly urge you to “Giddy up” and try it for yourself!  Check their website for a store near you!

With the great response I witnessed at the Vancouver Gluten Free Expo 2013, I have a feeling they may be branching out even more soon…and I’ll be first in line 🙂

What would be better than finding some Giddy YoYo at a store near you?  How about having some delivered to your door?  For FREE?!

****GIVEAWAY****

Okay, so it won’t get to you on time for Valentine’s Day, but this Thursday I will draw names to win:

FIVE AMAZING GIDDY YOYO RAW CHOCOLATE BARS!!!

For your chance to win:

1. Like GIDDY YOYO on Facebook
   
2. Follow them on Twitter @giddyyoyo
3. Like ME on Facebook
4. Follow me on Twitter @yummyGFpamcakes
5. Leave a comment on this post saying that you’ve Followed and Liked and why you’d like to try Giddy YoYo

Names will be chosen at random.  Complete all 5 tasks to count as one entry.  One entry per person.  Contest ends this Thursday, February 14th, 2013 at 12:01am (PST).  Open to Canadian and US residents only (sorry!). 

Sincerely,

Sassy

My Post-Vancouver Gluten Free Expo 2013 Post!

Beautiful morning in Vancouver!

What a big day yesterday!

I knew it would be a long day for me, with the fatigue and pain I continue to experience, but I knew that it would be worth it.

The Gluten Free Expo comes but once a year (unfortunately), and it’s MY time! My time to be in a room full of “my people”, people who “get it”, food that is safe, and countless opportunities to connect and learn!

Sorry, no business cards, yet…this will have to do 🙂

Many things were working against me this year. Vancouver seems so close, and yet, is so far from Chilliwack, and finding a ride this year was not the easiest task. Special thanks to my good friend DS who made it happen for me.

So, yes, I’m exhausted today, and yes, I’m sore today, and even have a fair bit of fog. And I’m completely okay with that. I’m treating today as a Sunday…I roasted some marrow bones and garlic so that I could make some bone broth, I will soon put a roast in the oven, and while I write this post, I am also planning and considering the posts that will follow this one, by way of product reviews and mentions.

As for the Expo itself, personally, I had a wonderfully amazing time.

I arrived early…so early that I went for tea first, and then showed up at the Convention Centre at 930am. There were already about 20 people in front of me, I would guess (though I am bad with estimates).

Tea Time!

The doors opened slightly late, at around 1010am, I would say. I was getting a bit sore from standing in line and couldn’t wait to get moving, but little did I know that the line was rapidly multiplying behind me!

I was one of the lucky. I stayed from open til close, meeting and greeting vendors, and listening to the various wonderful guest speakers. It was definitely packed in there…difficult to maneuver through the aisles, tough to get a seat to enjoy the speakers unless you got there early.

Bags of GOODIES (and my packed lunch)!

What I didn’t know, was what was happening outside the doors. Apparently there were huge lineups and the room was at-capacity, so people were left waiting or being turned away. I had no idea that just outside my gluten-free heaven there was an army of disappointed people.

Here is one quote, which will remain anonymous:

“I think they’ll be getting a lot of feedback and most of it angry. I volunteered at the event today and figured I’d be there 3 hrs to stamp peoples’ hands, but ended up trying to do some crowd control. Then, I had the unlucky job of having to take people’s tickets for a refund. And near the end, people had no idea they were lining up to give us their tickets to get a refund because they had stopped letting people in at about 2:30. There were a thousand people lined up soon after 9 am and no mechanisms set in place to control the flow to keep the room at 1,000 people (the capacity of it for fire reasons.) It’s a real shame. Some people told us they’d driven in from Langley and Abbotsford etc. They said next year they’d have a bigger space, run it over 2 days and have fixed ticket sales. Hopefully that happens.”

It’s honestly such a shame! I volunteered at the door last year, and remember just how busy it was. People were told that this year would be bigger and better, and it REALLY WAS, but from the sounds of it, there are a lot of people who did not get to be a part of it. It was a bigger event, and a bigger venue, but with some of the same problems as last year. As there was just recently an Expo in Toronto, I thought more of the kinks would have been worked out, but I suppose it is still a work in progress.

AS FOR MY EXPERIENCE, THOUGH?

As I said…it was wonderfully amazing 🙂

Some Gluten-Free Swag 🙂

There were SO many vendors, many of whom I had never heard of or had the pleasure of meeting. Simply listing them would do them no justice. As I sifted through all the cards and pamphlets in my shiny lime green cloth Expo bag this morning, I was overwhelmed by the sheer awesomeness of everyone! I feel like I will be writing for the next week just to get it all out LOL I knew, however, that I had to at least write something today, otherwise I would begin to forget things (as I do so easily with this tricky “fog” business).

Kathy Smith presenting!

The speakers I had the pleasure of hearing and meeting were superb! I was starstruck by the likes of Dr. Jean Layton, Kathy Smith, and Shelley Case! They were each only given 30min to speak, which, of course, was not nearly enough…but honestly, what would be? I could listen to these ladies and ask them questions all day and well into the night! I would love to share a gluten-free dinner with any one of them and talk Celiac for hours on end. They were each fantastic, informative, passionate, and engaging speakers. And yes, I took notes, so I will be sharing those with you, as well.

Shelley Case, myself, and Dr. Jean Layton!

Myself with Kathy Smith!

I won’t apologize for my experience, though I do whole-heartedly feel for the people who did not get a chance to enjoy the Expo. It’s bad enough that people with Celiac Disease or who eat gluten-free often have to pass up so many social outings, but to be denied entrance to “your own” event must have really felt awful. I sincerely hope that people will be reimbursed, that the issues will be resolved, and that people will be forgiving enough that it will not affect their decision to attend next year. I am mildly fearful that next year I will have to bring a tent and camp out LOL

There’s no doubt this is a popular event, and, done right, this Expo can be an invaluable resource for anyone living gluten-free.