Pop goes the gluten

A popular eatery in Collingswood has introduced its new gluten-free initiative and is holding a celiac awareness fund raiser today to kick things off.

Well known in South Jersey for its grilled cheese sandwiches, The Pop Shop on Haddon Avenue is now offering gluten-free bread for its sandwiches and French toast, as well as GF chicken fingers and fries. The family-friendly restaurant has installed a dedicated fryer for serving its customers with celiac disease and gluten-intolerance.

The Celiac Sprue Association of South Jersey had scheduled a breakfast meeting at the restaurant this morning to show their support. I have yet to sample the fare and have heard mixed reviews. Although some customers have dismissed the food as "greasy," the place has earned a legion of dedicated fans who enjoy the extensive menu of basic American fare. It includes breakfast, burgers and shakes.

The Pop Shop's grilled cheese sandwich was featured on the Food Network's "Throwdown with Bobby Flay" back in 2008. The celebrity chef visited the store for the show's taping, and lost a grilled cheese challenge to the shop's cooks. That's gotta say something, right?!

Testing the medicinal waters

Here's a chance to do something for the celiac disease community that could improve the quality of life for many of us.

South Jersey Gastroenterology is seeking people diagnosed with celiac disease to participate in a clinical trial. Those who qualify will test the effectiveness and safety of an investigational medication.

Researchers want people between the ages of 18 and 75 with diagnoses confirmed by biopsy and lab work more than 12 months prior to entry into the study. They must also have been on a gluten-free diet for 12 months or longer, are still experiencing symptoms when exposed to gluten and are willing to maintain the current diet for the duration of the study.

If you're interested, call 856-552-3618. The office is located on Lippincott Drive in Evesham (aka Marlton).

Helping the food allergy community recover from Sandy

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy and its devastating impact on New Jersey, the GF Garden State family is encouraging donations of allergy-friendly, non-perishable foods for those in need of safe meals. We are in the process of compiling a collection and plan to deliver it on Saturday.

According to the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, several New Jersey food allergy support groups have indicated a variety of items needed for those most affected by the storm. They include foods that are gluten-free, peanut-free, milk-free, egg-free, soy-free and/or those without tree nuts, such as walnuts, almonds, cashews, pistachios and pecans. Foods devoid of fish or shellfish also are being sought.

If you are able to make a donation, please send any variety of these foods in boxes labeled "Allergy Friendly" to the following food banks:

The Food Bank of Monmouth and Ocean Counties, Inc.
3300 Route 66
Neptune, NJ 07753

The Community Food Bank of NJ
31 Evans Terminal
Hillside, NJ 07205

Thank you!

CakeOver Takeover

A new gluten-free bakery is opening in Parsippany-Troy Hills with a menu chock-full of interesting and traditional baked goods.

Red velvet cake with cream cheese rosettes

The CakeOver begins its regular operating hours (11 am-7 pm) on Tuesday, Oct. 30. It is offering free samples for the week, as well as free coffee and tea with a purchase during November. On the menu are rugelach, cinnamon rolls, biscotti, corn muffins, red velvet cake, pina-colada cake and almond tea torte, as well as a number of other delicious-sounding items.

The store is owned by Alison Teperman, who hails from Russia by way of Israel. According to her bio on www.thecakeover.com, she grew up creating low-fat goodies in her home and began making gluten-free to accommodate allergies in the family.

The store is located at 79 North Beverwyck Road. It also caters to the gluten-free needs for the Stone House in Warren.

I haven't yet sampled the fare, but plan to stop by as soon as I get the chance. If you have eaten a CakeOver treat, please share your review with me.

Photo credit: The Cakeover via Facebook

Ravioli to go go

Ravioli was my absolute favorite pre-celiac disease food. It was completely unobtainable when I was first diagnosed more than 14 years ago.

In the last couple of year, great strides have been made in the GF frozen pasta department. Two New Jersey companies produce the only GF frozen (or fresh) ravioli that's easily obtainable in some grocery and specialty stores. They both made microwavable meals and ready to cook versions. Yum!

Beginning on a Sweet Note

There are several varieties of frozen GF bagels available in grocery stores, but a freshly baked bagel would be so nice.

Luckily, such a GF product does exist and will be available at the Collingswood Farmers Market, starting this Saturday. The market runs 8 a.m. to noon near the PATCO rail station.

Fresh bagels are being brought to Jersey via Sweet Note Bakery. The company typically sells its products by wholesale to stores in Philadelphia and its suburbs in Pennsylvania. According to its website, the bakery's products are available in the Garden State only in Collingswood and will be sold at the Amaranth Bakery stand, close to the police station.

Is gluten-free a fad?

The Today Show on NBC had a segment about gluten-free foods this morning.

It started by talking about the diet as a fad, showing stock footage of heavy people and their attempts to lose weight. Then, it went on to interview a couple who ate gluten-free hot dogs offered at Citi Field in New York City. The man claimed to be eating gluten-free only because the woman did. The woman never gave a clear answer for her food choice, making them both seem dopey.

Only two-thirds into the segment did the reporter mention health issues associated with gluten. The words "celiac disease" were uttered only once and the condition was never really explained. Symptoms were described as gastrointestinal discomfort and a rash. Serious health complications, such as malnutrition, colon cancer and infertility, were not the focus and the risk of death wasn't even mentioned.

The report indicated that only "one percent" of Americans have health issues with gluten, which is simply untrue. One in 133 have suffer from celiac disease alone, but this number doesn't take into account the many people who live with wheat allergies and gluten intolerance.

This report really makes my blood boil. Gluten-free foods were designed for people with celiac disease and  intolerance. I love that "gluten-free" has become more popular in mainstream society, but I wish public information would focus more on its true purpose. When the diet is cheapened to "fad" status, it takes away the idea of it as a necessity and removes focus from medical symptoms and research.

What do you think?