3 Quick Gluten-Free Lunches

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Looking for some quick, tasty gluten-free lunch options for you or your child?  Sometimes, when you’re helping your son or daughter gear up for a new school year — or even rushing off to face another busy day yourself — throwing together a quick PB & J is easier than making a more nutritious alternative. But never fear; here are a few tasty, nutritious gluten-free lunch recipes that you can whip up in a jiffy!

Gluten Free Turkey Club Sandwich

Ingredients:

  • 2 Slices of gluten-free bread
  • Smear of gluten-free mustard (French’s Mustard is gluten-free)
  • 2 Slices avocado
  • 2 Pieces Romaine lettuce
  • 2 Slices roasted turkey (for an even healthier alternative, substitute low sodium turkey breast from your local grocery store)

Directions:

Toast bread. Smear mustard and avocado on the bread, then add lettuce and turkey slices.

Gluten Free Tuna Sandwich

Ingredients:

  • 1 5 oz Can solid white chunk tuna in water, drained
  • 2 Slices of gluten-free bread
  • 1 Lettuce leaf
  • Mayonnaise (Best Foods mayo is gluten-free)
  • 2 Slices tomato
  • 1 Stalk of celery, diced

Preparation:

Toast bread slices, if desired. Use a fork to mix the tuna and celery with about 1/4 cup mayo, then spoon the mixture onto the slices of bread. Add lettuce and tomato. If you’d like to make it a tuna melt, add a slice of gluten-free cheese, then microwave the sandwich for 30 seconds.

Gluten-Free Munchables (a gluten-free alternative to Lunchables)

Ingredients:

Directions:

Using a small round cookie cutter, cut 4 small circles out of the turkey breast slices and 4 small circles out of the ham slices. Using a small square cookie cutter, cut 4 small squares out of the white American cheese slice and 4 small squares out of the cheddar cheese slice. There are two ways to put this Munchable together. For a quick fix, stack each ingredient in it’s own separate area of the tupperware. Or, try it the way one creative mom did: To avoid cross-contamination, wash a Lunchables plastic tray by hand or put it through the dishwasher on a no-heat cycle. Then, stack crackers in the two center sections. The cheese slices go in two sections on the right. Finally, add the slices of deli meats to the sections on the left. Cover with cellophane and serve!

Recipes adapted from Elana’s Pantry and Adventures of a Gluten Free Mom.

8/25: Gluten Free and Celiac Awareness Night with the Los Angeles Dodgers

What: Pre-Game Party: Gluten Free and Celiac Awareness Night with the Los Angeles Dodgers

When: Saturday, August 25th 11am-4pm

Where:  Sheraton Downtown Hotel – 711 South Hope Street Los Angeles, California 90017 – Baseball Game: 6:10 pm Dodger Stadium

Cost: FREE

Website: http://www.glutenfreecalendar.com/index.php?/calendar/viewevent/555

We’re loving the MLB Celiac Awareness Nights that we’re going to keep it going, this time with the LA Dodgers. This is a super unique and very fun gluten-free event which will include FREE gluten-free treats from local and national gluten-free vendors.  Not only will these vendors be providing product samples and offering their products for sale, but there will be music, raffles featuring a Matt Kemp autographed ball and 2 tickets to the game! Oh, and best of all, your friends at New Planet will be there with samples of all three of our tasty beers!

8/19: Annual Incredible, Edible Gluten Free Food Fair, CO

 

What: The 6th Annual Incredible, Edible Gluten Free Food Fair

When: Sunday, August 19st from 10am to 4pm

Where: Denver Merchandise Mart (451 E 58th Ave Denver, CO 80216)

Cost: FREE

Website: http://www.denverceliacs.org/gffoodfair.html

The Sixth Annual Incredible, Edible Gluten-Free Food Fair™ will be Sunday August 19th at the Denver Merchandise Mart. The event will be open to the public from 10am-4pm with around 100 gluten free local and national vendors who will be on hand to tempt you with delicious cakes, cookies, breads, gluten-free flour mixes and product samples. Some area restaurants, doctors, chiropractors, etc will be there to talk with you as well. The event is free to the public so don’t miss this opportunity to test out these great products! New Planet will be there in full force this team, teaming up with our friends at Glutino, to bring you a new and exciting element of the Fair. We’ll have a gluten-free fun zone all set up for you replete with activities like basketball, foosball, and an awesome New Planet/Glutino photobooth! Make sure you come by, try our beers, play some games and get your free photo from our super coll pine beetle kill wood photo booth!

8/12: Gluten Free/Allergen Free Expo, NC

What: Gluten Free/Allergen Free Expo

When: Sunday, August 12th 2:30-7:30pm

Where: Cobblestone Hall – 215 Wolfe Street, Suite 100 Raleigh, NC 27601

Cost: $10, children under 12 are free

Website: http://glutenfreeraleigh.blogspot.com/

The Gluten/Allergen Free Expo of Raleigh, N.C. will feature Expert Speakers in fields of Celiac Disease & Gluten/Allergen Free Living, a Gluten/Allergen Free Food & Services Vendor Hall (featuring New Planet and many other tasty smaples!) & a Top Chef Demonstration Stage. Additionally the one and only Mrs. United States 2011, Shannon Ford, columnist for Delight Gluten Free and writer of an excellent blog about her Gluten Free/Paleo Diet & life www.contemporarycavegirl.com. will be present! This event was recently a big hit in Charlotte and promises to follow suit here in Raleigh so come on out!

The Gluten-Free Road to College

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It’s finally August, which means that fall semester is just weeks away for incoming college freshmen. But while many students are probably chomping at the bit while thinking about the independence they’ll gain in college, gluten-free students are most likely worrying about what they’ll be able to eat in the dining halls. But maintaining a gluten-free diet in college doesn’t have to be as difficult as getting an A in statistics! Follow these ten easy steps to keep yourself on the gluten-free track.

  1. Buy a mini-fridge and/or microwave to keep your gluten-free food in. Before you purchase one, though, check with housing services to find out more about your college’s wattage guidelines. If you decide to share either of these appliances with your roommate(s), make sure that they understand how to prevent cross-contamination of their food with yours.
  2. Talk to your roommate(s) about your allergy. Don’t oversimplify your explanation, but don’t make it overly complicated either. Get across the point that even one crumb of gluten can make you sick, which is why you’ll be keeping all of your snacks, cleaning supplies (ie: sponges, towels), tupperware, and dishes separate from theirs. If you’re sharing a kitchen or cooking space with your roommate(s), ask them to wipe down surfaces after their done cooking so as to avoid cross-contamination.
  3. Meet with the dining services director and talk to dining hall chefs. When you meet with the director of dining services, tell him that you’re gluten-free and ask about accommodations the school can offer, gluten-free meals they’ve served in the past or could prepare for you, and even how many gluten-free students they’ve served or plan to serve this school year. After you’re done, walk around and talk to the chefs and dining hall staff. Ask them how they prepare gluten-free meals, if they know how to prevent cross-contamination, and which gluten-free meals they’ve served in the past.
  4. Consider opting out of a meal plan. If it doesn’t seem like there’s many gluten-free options in your college’s dining hall, ask dining services about opting out of your meal plan. Use the money you save to purchase gluten-free snacks at grocery stores or gluten-free meals at local restaurants.
  5. Figure out which grocery store has the best gluten-free food selection. Stock up on gluten-free snacks and frozen meals that you can keep in your dorm room. If there’s a particular gluten-free snack you’d like but don’t see on the shelves, don’t be afraid to ask the grocery store manager if they’ll look into carrying it for you.
  6. Pack gluten-free snacks. Always remember to bring one or two gluten-free snacks with you wherever you go, even if you’re not planning on eating. You never know when your friends may want to grab a snack or meal that may not be gluten-free, so it’s always good to bring a snack so you don’t have to sit there hungrily watching them eat!
  7. BYO gluten-free alcohol. If you’re over the age of 21 and going to a party, consider legally carrying closed bottles of gluten-free alcohol with you when you go out with friends. Just throw a four pack of New Planet Beer in your purse before you head to your friend’s party!
  8. Carry an allergy card with you to give to waitresses, chefs, etc. The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness has a very informative allergy card at the end of their Gluten-Free Guide to College. Print it out or create your own and carry it with you.
  9. Simplify your allergy story. Think of it like a gluten-free elevator speech; make sure that it’s easy to explain to anyone you meet. Be open and honest about your allergy with your friends, dorm staff, etc.
  10. Parents, send your student gluten-free snacks. Students love getting care packages during their freshman year, so remember to send gluten-free snack packs, especially around midterms and finals!

Don’t let living a gluten-free lifestyle hold you back. Remember that you can do anything other college students do!

Gluten-free dining at amusement parks

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Each day, amusement parks provide effortless fun for the whole family — that is, until someone gets hungry. Something as simple as finding gluten-free fare at an amusement park can quickly escalate into a stressful challenge for even the most patient guest.

But as information about living a gluten-free lifestyle has spread, theme parks have increased the number of gluten-free options they provide their guests. As you plan your next trip to an amusement park, follow New Planet Beer’s simple steps to ensuring a fun, gluten-free day:

  1. Check the amusement park’s website for information about food allergies and special dietary needs. Some theme parks, such as Elitch Gardens and Hersheypark, list comprehensive guides on their website that note allergen information for specific foods sold at each restaurant or stand within their park.
  2. Make reservations in advance. Many theme parks offer gluten-free dining options, but suggest that you call in advance to reserve a table. Disneyland will take reservations up to 60 days before your trip, and Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando accept them up to 180 days in advance. When you call, be sure to mention your gluten intolerance so that the person taking your reservation can note it accordingly. It’s also a good idea to ask for the name of the person who takes your reservation and/or a reservation confirmation via email.
  3. Ask to speak with a manager and/or chef once you arrive at a restaurant within the park. Once you have informed the manager/chef of your gluten intolerance, they’ll usually provide you with a gluten-free menu and answer any questions you might have before preparing your gluten-free meal.
  4. Ask about cross-contamination. While an amusement park may provide gluten-free fare, ensure that the meal your getting isn’t contaminated by gluten as its being prepared. Don’t hesitate to ask the chef specific questions about whether or not he prepares the meal using clean surfaces, pans and utensils that haven’t come into contact with gluten.
  5. Bring your own food if the amusement park allows it. Check the theme park’s website to see if they specify whether or not you can bring your own gluten-free meal with you; some permit this, provided that you inform security of your gluten intolerance as you enter the park.

And above all else, remember to have fun!