Girl Scouts testing second gluten-free cookie

Gluten-free Girl Scout cookies are coming to New Jersey!

They’re different than the bite-size chocolate chip cookies featured in last year’s pilot program, which none of the four Garden State councils participated in. This year, the Girls Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey council is serving as a test market for Trios: A gluten-free peanut butter chocolate chip oatmeal cookie.

Image/Girl Scouts of Central & Southern New Jersey

Sold through individual troops that opt to participate, the Trios come in a 5-ounce re-sealable pouch that retails for $5, according to the council’s website. (We all know gluten-free foods cost more. Sigh) They'll become available during the 2015 cookie sale.

And the winners are ...

Congratulations go to Karen B. & Ashley C., the winners of our ticket giveaway!

Each of these ladies won a pair of admissions to the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo,  happening in Secaucus, Sept. 6-7.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the raffle. If you'd like to purchase tickets to attend the Expo, use promo code EXPONJ20 to receive 20% off the cost of tickets purchased online. Click here to reserve your entry to the Expo.

In the meantime, read an earlier post on this blog to see what's happening ... Expo highlighting gluten free products

Eating like a tortoise

If you hear growls coming from the Philadelphia Zoo, don't assume its coming from the lions, tigers or bears. The ominous sound can very well be coming from the stomachs of visitors with Celiac Disease.

There are many wonderful things about the Philadelphia Zoo. (Yes, the overhead animal trail system is pretty cool.) Unfortunately, the availability of gluten-free foods isn't on that list.

I consulted the park's dining options using the official Philadelphia Zoo app (also pretty cool) and had an idea going in that I was not going to be satisfied. The zoo acknowledges gluten-free options on its menus. However, those choices are pretty much relegated only to salad, which is what we witnessed the tortoises munching on.

Expo highlighting gluten-free products

The Gluten & Allergen Free Expo returns to the Garden State Sept. 6-7 in Secaucus. If you haven't already, be sure to get your tickets because you're going to want to be there.

In full disclosure, Gluten Free Garden State is an "official blogger" for the expo. Although unpaid, this blogger is attending for free and raffling off tickets to GFGS readers. However, I do not falsely endorse any product or event. If I didn't love it, I wouldn't promote it or seek to attend.

After attending expos organized by other groups, I was excited to attend my first Gluten & Allergen Free Expo last year. It met and succeeded all of my expectations. Imagine walking into a exhibition hall FULL of gluten-free foods. It's heaven!

Cheesey celebration for celiacs

A first-time visit (EVER!) to a Chuck E. Cheese arcade-restaurant left us wanting to hug the mouse.

(For the record, we didn't, since there's a real person inside that costume who would likely have been freaked out by adults hugging him and squealing with delight.)

After all, how many chain dining options synonymous with kids' birthday parties and pizza really offer gluten-free options?

The Cherry Hill site, as well as more than 500 others across the country, includes on its menu gluten-free versions of pizza and a cupcake. The combo allows celiac children to fully participate in parties without feeling left out. Gotta love that!

GFGS Community Calendar: August 2014

As a service to our regular readers and the Celiac community at large, Gluten Free Garden State offers an ongoing list of upcoming events of interest. We feature local happenings, regional events and national programs open to the public. The calendar appears on the second Sunday of each month. Links are posted to Facebook and Twitter using the hashtages #2ndSundaySked and #savetheceliacdate.

In the coming month, there are a handful of travel-worthy events happening withing driving distance. You won't want to miss New Jersey's annual Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in early September. Look for us there too!

In the Garden State

Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 6-7: Gluten & Allergen Free Expo at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, Hudson County. Event runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days. Parking is free. Go to gfafexpo.com to purchase tickets and obtain additional information.

Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 27-28: Tri-State Food Expo at the Meadowlands Exposition Center. Catering to restaurant, retail and other food service industry professionals, it features some gluten-free vendors, as well as general demonstrations and information. Visit the expo's website for additional information and ticket purchases.

Joining us at the Gluten & Allergen Free Expo?

I'm doing a happy dance, and you soon may be too.

I'm thrilled to announce being named an official blogger for next month's Gluten & Allergen Free Expo in the Meadowlands. I had a blast at last year's event, and feel honored to be blogging about it for the second time.

Although my reports may help you be part of the action, wouldn't you just love to attend the Expo for yourself? That's where this blog may be able to help.

We're giving tickets away!