Episode 52 “Celiac Awareness Moth ” Features:

• Vanessa’s gluten-free round table discussion with Wolf Blitzer of CNN
• Maureen & Vanessa talk about how it feels to be newly diagnosed
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

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Download audio file (052_HoldTheGluten-03May2012.mp3)
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At times, it’s hard for me to remember life before the title of “Mom”.   I have many other labels – wife, daughter, sister, and friend, but “Mom” feels most special.  Being loved unconditionally is a pretty amazing thing.  There’s nothing like your son telling you how pretty you look when in all reality your hair looks like a bird’s nest and your sweat suit attire should have been packed away five years ago.  I did get my son Ryan’s eyes checked after his adorable statement but his peepers were just fine.

My daughter Emma just turned 10 and my son Ryan will be 7 next month, so I’ve had the pleasure of celebrating many a Mother’s Day.   No matter how you choose to celebrate, the most important part of the day is being together.  With that said, presents, flowers, and sparkly objects will not be turned down…

Happy Mother’s Day from one mom to another!

Breakfast in Bed

I love to sleep.  I think it’s because I was sleep deprived for the first five years of my kids’ lives.  In my humble opinion, there is nothing better than being served breakfast in bed.  Well, an all-expenses paid trip to Hawaii would totally be better, but that’s comparing apples to oranges.   Why not treat mom to a delicious gluten-free breakfast?  Don’t forget to clean up the dishes afterwards – that’s sure to score you bonus points.

There are so many gluten-free breakfast options!  Open up your box of Gluten-Free Bisquick to whip up some PB&J Waffles or a Coffee Cake.  Check out my hints to serve up mom a creative & tasty breakfast!  Than brew up a fresh pot of coffee or pour her a glass of OJ and start mom’s day off deliciously!

Picnic in the Park

Picnics are fun for the whole family.  Pack a picnic basket with mom’s favorite foods and head off to celebrate Mother’s Day while she relaxes on a blanket reading her favorite book or magazine.  Rain in the forecast?  No worries – bring the picnic indoors!  Set up in your living room and put on some of mom’s go-to music.

Picnics are all about easily transportable foods.  Pack up a container of Tomato, Mozzarella & Roasted Red Pepper Salad or White Bean Hummus with some carrots and celery.  Go Picnic has ready-to-eat meals for your picnic-themed jaunt. Want a sweet treat for mom?  Bring along some of Lucy’s Sugar Cookies and Chocolate Peanut Butter layer bars.  Mom’s belly will be full after your gluten-free picnic eats, so let her doze off for a bit (remember my comment on sleep deprivation?).

Dinner Fit for a Queen

Mom will truly feel like royalty has you prepare her a delicious Mother’s Day dinner.  If she loves “comfort food”, bake up a Glazed Meatloaf or a Bard’s Beer Chocolate Espresso Chili.  Surprise mom with a fine dining feel with Coq Au Vin.  Bake up a gluten-free Carrot Cake or a Gluten-Free Devil’s Food Cake with a Rich & Creamy Cherry Frosting.

Don’t forget to give your mom a big hug and a kiss.  Those moments will be forever treasured!

Episode 51 “Gluten-Free Globetrotting ” Features:

• Vanessa’s traveling to Phoenix Gluten-Free Expo 2012
• Picazzo’s Restaurant in Sedona, AZ
• Gluten-Free Easter & Passover eats
• Super fab ice cream truck man (bring your GF cones!)
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

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Download audio file (051_HoldTheGluten-19Apr2012.mp3)
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Episode 50 “Help With Celiac Disease Research” Features:

• Dr. Daniel Leffler of Beth Israel Medical Center speaks about a study that will help researchers better understand a new test for celiac disease.
• Learn how to participate from the comfort of your home!
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

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Download audio file (050_HoldTheGluten-05Apr2012.mp3)
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Looking for an egg-cellent (and tasty) activity to make with young ones?  I bake this adorable Easter bunny cake each year with my kiddos.  What a perfect finale to your egg hunt party or holiday meal!

Easter Bunny Cake with Cream Cheese & Coconut Icing

2 (15-ounce) boxes of Betty Crocker Gluten-Free Yellow Cake Mix
2 sticks (1 cup) butter (softened)
4 teaspoons vanilla
6 eggs
1 1/3 cups water
3 containers of Betty Crocker Rich and Creamy Gluten-Free Cream Cheese Frosting
3 (14-ounce) bags of sweetened shredded coconut
Pink food coloring
Blue food coloring
Gluten-free jelly beans
Gluten-free gumdrops

1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease bottoms and sides of two 9-inch round cake pans with butter or olive oil spray.
2. In large bowl, beat cake mixes, butter, vanilla, eggs, and water with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl occasionally. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Pour evenly into pans.
3. Bake for approximately 35 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to cooling rack. Cool completely, about 1 hour.
4. Place one cake in center of large platter for bunny’s head. Place other cake on cutting surface; cut two football-shaped pieces from each side of cake to use for ears. Place ears on top of bunny’s head. Place remaining piece under bunny’s head for bow tie.
5. Reserve 3 tablespoons frosting. Frost entire cake–except insides of ears–with remaining frosting. To reserved frosting, stir in 1 drop pink food color; frost insides of ears with pink frosting.
6. In a small food-storage plastic bag, shake 1/2 cup of the coconut with 1 drop blue food color. Carefully sprinkle blue coconut over bunny’s bow tie.
7. Sprinkle remaining (un-dyed) coconut all over bunny’s head and edges of ears, leaving centers of ears pink.
8. Make whiskers, eyes and mouth with jelly beans.  Use gumdrops for the nose and bow tie buttons.

Baskets filled with (gluten-free) Easter joy!

Unsure what candy is safe and what is gluten-filled?  Never fear!  Before you fill those baskets with sweets, stop by MyGlutenFacts.com for an amazing listing of gluten-free holiday candy.  Their comprehensive directory is even broken down into two categories – jelly beans and candy.

From the Hold The Gluten family to yours, enjoy your Easter holiday!

Every year, my family travels to our nation’s capital, Washington, DC for the National Cherry Blossom Festival.  In 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gave the gift of 3,000 cherry trees to the city of Washington, DC. The annual celebration honors the lasting friendship between the United States and Japan.  This year, the world-famous National Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the 100th anniversary of the gift of the cherry trees.

Viewing the cherry blossoms is absolutely breathtaking.  Light breezes blow through the tree branches and create a shower of delicate pink and white petals while our national monuments serve as a stunning backdrop.  An added bonus for visitors is that Washington, DC is a fabulously gluten-free city!  Dining options abound, from casual to elegant. Be sure to save room for a gluten-free dessert (or two!). For more information on gluten-free travel, visit Delight Gluten-Free Magazine’s interactive map of Washington, DC.

In honor of the Cherry Blossom Festival, I’ve created this delectable cherry-themed dessert. Happy spring!

Gluten-Free Cheesecake with Cherry Topping
Who needs a graham cracker crust?  Whip up a delicious Chex Cereal crust for this cherry cheesecake!

Chex Cereal Crust

2 cups of crushed Rice Chex cereal
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
2 tablespoons melted salted butter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  In a food processor add all crust ingredients and blend until thoroughly combined. Press crumbs against the bottom of an 8 inch springform pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Cheesecake

3 (8-ounce) packages of cream cheese , room temperature
1 ¼ cup white sugar
3 eggs
¾ cup sour cream
½ cup of milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons Gluten-Free Bisquick
1 can (21-ounces) cherry pie filling

While crust is baking, blend cream cheese until fluffy with a mixer. Slowly incorporate sugar until thoroughly combined.  Add eggs, sour cream, milk, vanilla extract, and Gluten-Free Bisquick.  Using a spatula, scrape the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl to ensure the batter is thoroughly combined.   Pour batter into an 8-inch springform pan. Bake in center of oven for 60 minutes at 350 degrees F. Place a baking sheet filled with water on the rack beneath the cheesecake to eliminate cracking and maintain moistness.  After 60 minutes, turn off the oven, crack the oven door, and let the cheesecake remain in the oven for 1 hour.  After 1 hour, refrigerate cheesecake to chill. Add cherry pie topping and serve.

Episode 49 “Gluten-Free Fabulosity” Features:

• Maureen’s gluten-free food finds! Obsessed with instant oatmeal, graham crackers, ice cream cones, “oreo” cookies, sugar & spice pan bars
• Vanessa’s Expo West gluten-free finds – Russo’s Pizza, RP’s Pasta, Pappardelle’s Pasta, Julie’s Organic Ice Cream, Hilary’s Eat Well, Imbue
• Coming up – road trip to Milton, Delaware to visit Dogfish Brewery
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

Click the player below to listen to the show now!
Download audio file (049_HoldTheGluten-22Mar2012.mp3)
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Episode 48 “Gluten-Free Road Trip” Features:

• Making Tracks for Celiacs 5k run, 1 mile walk & vendor fair
• Maureen’s wine allergy panic and allergy testing
• Listener question from Sally on celiac disease vs gluten intolerance
• Delight Gluten-Free Magazine & Gluten Freely Recipe Contest for Pastariso Mac & Cheese Contest
• Sneak Peek of our gluten-free road trip – Sherry Lynn’s and The Italian Chef
• Vanessa makes the donuts!
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

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Download audio file (048_HoldTheGluten-08Mar2012.mp3)
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Episode 47 “Pizza Perfection” Features:

• Maureen & Vanessa interview Trevor & Corbett of Bella Monica Pizza – learn their gluten-free story.
• Near Raleigh, NC? Visit Bella Monica’s restaurant!
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

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Download audio file (047_HoldTheGluten-23Feb2012.mp3)
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Episode 46 “Gluten Free Family” Features:

• Maureen’s 10 year old daughter just diagnosed with celiac.
• Vanessa’s chocolate mission
• New classification system for gluten-related disorders.
• Gluten-free camps for kids. Sign up now across the country.
• Gluten-free bagels are possible!
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

Click the player below to listen to the show now!
Download audio file (046_HoldTheGluten-09Feb2012.mp3)
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If you don’t have a waffle maker in your kitchen gadget arsenal, stop everything (well finish this post first), run to the nearest kitchen gadget store, and buy one! My waffle maker is one of my go-to appliances. The kids love waffles for our weekend family breakfasts. Since weekdays are absolutely crazy with school, soccer, piano, gymnastics, and other random sports the kids are involved in, I’ll cook up a large batch of waffles and freeze them for a quick breakfast during the week. Waffles are also the PERFECT substitute for bread!  Think BLT, egg and cheese, or (one of my favs) Nutella and Nutella with some extra Nutella on the side (I have a bad obsession with this stuff).

I’m going to share one of my special recipes: PB&J Waffles. I am a self-proclaimed expert on all things peanut butter & jelly since I ate a PB&J sandwich every.single.day from Kindergarten to High School.  Seriously, I’m not kidding… Why not take this waffle craze a step further and host your own Waffle Bar? Imagine how fun Sunday Brunch will be at your house!

Gluten-Free PB&J Waffles
Makes 4 six-inch waffles

1 1/3 cups Bisquick Gluten-Free mix
1 ¼ cups milk
3 Tbsp vegetable oil
1 egg
¼ cup creamy peanut butter
1 ½ cups of warmed jelly

1. Stir ingredients until blended
2. Pour onto center of hot greased waffle maker, close lid
3. Bake according to waffle maker instructions
4. Remove waffle and serve with warmed jelly in place of syrup

Host Your Own Waffle Bar!
Hosting your own Waffle Bar is SO easy… Here are some topping ideas to include in your buffet. Get as creative as you like, the possibilities are endless to what you can top a waffle with!

Sweet Waffle Toppings
Bananas
Chocolate Chips
Blackberries
Raspberries
Homemade Whipped Cream
Maple Syrup
Cinnamon & Sugar

Savory Waffle Toppings
Crumbled Bacon
Caramelized Onions
Cheddar Cheese
Diced Ham
Sliced Almonds

Episode 45 “Hut Hut Hike! Score a Gluten Free Goal!” Features:

• Gluten-Free Super Bowl snack ideas!
• Maureen’s mozzarella sticks, onion rings, & 7 layer dip recipes.
• Delight Gluten-Free Magazine Super Bowl event
• Vanessa’s gluten-free trip San Fran, California & Vancouver, Canada
• Trip favs – Q Drinks, Herbal Water, Iveta, No Bake Cookie Company
• Chick-fil-A fast food chain offers gluten free chicken nuggets
• Clean out your pantry! All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Mix list
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

Click the player below to listen to the show now!
Download audio file (045_HoldTheGluten-26Jan2012.mp3)
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Kick Start Your Day and Heart
General Mills shares with us that “Cereal eaters  consume less fat, less cholesterol and more fiber than noncereal eaters.”

Start your day with a bowl of cereal with sliced fruit.  My favorite cereal topper is a handful of nutrient-rich frozen blueberries. There are SO many amazing wholesome gluten-free cereal options. Serve up a bowl of Orgran’s  Multi-grain O’s with Quinoa or Honey Nut Chex.  Looking for a warm and hearty breakfast?  Glutenfreeda’s Banana Maple with Flax Instant Oatmeal is a perfect choice.

The Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

According to the Mayo Clinic, “The healthiest kinds of grains are whole grains. The 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of all the grains you eat are whole grains.”

Change out your gluten-free white sandwich bread with these whole grain and multi-grain options.  Your heart will thank you!  Gluten Freely’s Sandwich Bread recipe uses sorghum and garbanzo bean flour.  No time to bake homemade bread?  No worries, there are plenty of whole grain bread options including Udi’s Whole Grain Bread, Glutino Multi-Grain Bagels, and Schar Multi-Grain Sandwich Bread.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!

This Homemade Guacamole is not only delicious but avocados can help you meet the American Heart Association’s dietary guidelines because they have both monosaturated and polyunsaturated fat and contain potassium.  Your body will thank you for eating the “rainbow”… Mix up your servings of all types of fruits & vegetables throughout the day.

Lean Protein

Halibut is truly a nutrient-dense food.  Get your fill of omega-3 essential fatty acids with this fabulous recipe for Mediterranean Halibut.

Changing your eating habits can be daunting.  Take baby steps and continue making those important changes!  Your heart will thank you!

Episode 44 “Happy Gluten-Free 2012!” Features:

• Happy New Year!  Gluten-free resolutions
• Vanessa’s trip to Breezes Bahamas – gluten free food galore
• Maureen’s Philly gluten free dining experience
• You voted!  Winners of the GFreek Awards are announced
• Maureen’s Beer Battered Onion Ring Recipe
• Vanessa head to the Fancy Foods Show in San Francisco, CA January 15 – 17th
• 14 Colleges that Cater to Gluten-Free Students
• Maureen’s schooling of Vanessa on all things 80′s
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

Click the player below to listen to the show now!
Download audio file (044_HoldTheGluten-12Jan2012.mp3)
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Episode 43 “You Asked and We Answered!” Features:

• Congrats to Scott Morizot – winner of the free Delight Gluten-Free Magazine Digital Download
• Can you have Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerance and other food allergies or intolerances?
• When do you introduce gluten into a child’s diet of parents with celiac or gluten intolerance?
• What is the difference between celiac disease and gluten intolerance?
• Vanessa’s ridiculously fabulous Chocolate Hazelnut Whip Recipe.
• What do YOU think of the HTG Podcast? Leave your feedback wherever you download this podcast!

Read the blog. Listen to the podcast. Educate yourself.

Rock on Celiacs!

Subscribe to the podcast using iTunes (or whatever media player you use) at http://feeds2.feedburner.com/htgpodcast

Click the player below to listen to the show now!

Download audio file (043_HoldTheGluten-30Dec2011.mp3)
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