NFCA Celiac Central - Article Tag ...

I have decided I need to do more "tagging" in my blog ... meaning I need to highlight more of the information I find and read and share it ~ not only as a great reference resource for myself but also to capture some of the amazing plethora of information out on the internet today ... and highlight the positive and more helpful articles.  Running a blog ~ any blog that the author may want to be successful, helpful and informative - is a huge time commitment.  I admire and respect the authors of blogs that are kept up to date and have a constant flow of information, recipes, guidance, experiences, news events, ect. the list goes on and on and on  ... and I want others to have as much access to this valuable information and awesome insights as well, among my own tidbits that I write ... my own reviews, experiences, product information, ect as well ~ of course. ;)  

On Facebook this morning I came across an article written on the "Celiac Central - Bits and Bites" Blog  - which is the staff blog of the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.   The article entitled:
5 Resources to Tackle Gluten-Free Roadblocks is full of some great information. 

I direct you to read the article - as it is has the great links to further search each resource - but for reference their 5 Resources listed:

1.  When you have a Question about Nutrition - Get an answer from a Dietician - the link is provided to the NFCA's question and answer site.

2.  When you are Struggling in the Kitchen -  Takes you to a tutorial recipe site called "Alternative Appetites".

3.  When your Grocery List is Getting dull -  Brings you to their "Gluten Free Hot Products".

4.  When you are Heading to College - Read "Great U".

5.  When your Non-Gluten-Free Friend wants to Cook you a Meal ...  Download "Entertaining Gluten Free Guests.  Which I found to be very helpful it links you to a PDF article ~ that I have now printed and downloaded for my own reference and to print and hand out to well-meaning friends and family that want to cook for us and still have us stay healthy ;)  A huge plus ...

Read the article ~ look at the links that you may find useful - knowledge is well ... good health ... and as that is something we as Celiacs ~ once diagnosed and on the Celiac path ;)  strive for every DAY of our lives ... Food becomes a huge part of your life when you find out it is FOOD and how our bodies react to it that runs everything in our lives ... from our moods - thoughts - actions -

Thank you Celiac Central for writing a great resource article ... and putting some of the great resources the NFCA has into one easy read ... :)   In our busy lives GOTTA LOVE THAT!!!  :)

CCA Edmonton Chapter - NEW Website Launched

Awesome!  Amazing!  Fabulous!  Current!  Upbeat! Full of information!  News!  Events!  Guidance!

All this and more at the newly UPDATED and REFURBISHED site of the Canadian Celiac Association Edmonton Chapter ~

EDMONTON CHAPTER - CANADIAN CELIAC ASSOCIATION

check it out ~ leave a comment ~ Let them know that they are on the right track and/or if you would like to see more of something or even need to add ...

Hooray for all the hard work that went into getting this NEW LOOK launched:

FROM the Site: 

"A Big Thank You to the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit Program and Andrea Dunne.
We want to acknowledge the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit Program and Andrea Dunne, a NAIT student for assisting us in getting the word out about celiac disease!

Thanks to the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit Program and their generous help through the Community Spirit Award we have been able to increase the effectiveness of getting our message out to the community through new equipment and a great new website.  We are honoured to be delivering information and relief to those with celiac disease and are so glad the Alberta Culture and Community Spirit Program has partnered with us again this year.

The Government of Alberta Community Spirit Program provides provincial grants for eligible nonprofit organizations. The grant is based on the total annual cash donations from individual Albertans received by an eligible organization over a 12-month fiscal period. The grant can be used to support an organization’s operations, programs, and/or capital projects.

The generous volunteer work by Andrea Dunne, a NAIT student has also made this all possible by helping with the development work of our website along with the leadership and Project Lead of Abisaac Saraga, Board Member of our Edmonton Chapter and Blogger at Gluten Free Edmonton"

 Yes Thank you so much Abisaac ~ it is certainly appreciated ~ the site looks amazing! 

Lit Italian Wine Bar ... with friends

A few weeks back we were once again venturing out to dine with a small group of fellow celiacs (and partners) and tonight's restaurant of choice was the "Lit Italian Wine Bar" on 104th street.  Kevin and I had never been there - but I had tried a sampling of their food at the "Taste of Edmonton" in the summer and was looking forward to the evening.

We went on a Thursday evening and the Wine Bar was full but did not feel too crowded - it is a small-ish intimate dining establishment - two floors (I did not venture up to the second floor - so will definitely have to go again and check that out ;).  We were seated just inside the front entrance - a long drapery from the second floor ceiling down to the floor backed the diners at our table from the entrance side.  As our group made reservations a head of time our waiter was aware of our gluten free requirements, and was pretty accommodating ~ we were brought complimentary bowls of popcorn to our table ~ which went quickly and was quite tasty, kind of a nice light alternative to the usual bread at the table.     

We all ordered a different plates ~ one plate in common with a few of us was the calamari -I loved the way it was prepared - not the usual plate of small individual rings but in slices of squid that were dusted with cornstarch, slightly spiced and lightly deep fried to a golden crispy texture ~ came in a fair sized portion, perfect for sharing as an appetizer for two, or in the case of one of our diners she had for her main course.

The calamari came with two sauces ~ one creamy in texture and taste and the other with a tomato base, both complimented the calamari. 

For our mains Kevin and I chose two of the salads on the menu - on and eye catching bed of mixed greens - I will have to go back and get the proper names and descriptions for these delicious salads ~ unfortunately the Lit Italian Wine Bar site is down so I can not pull up a menu to give you a proper description of these tasty dishes.

Lightly seared tuna on a bed of mixed greens with a slightly sweet sauce.

Perfectly cooked sliced beef tenderloin on a bed of mixed greens 

 I think that the Lit Italian Wine Bar would be a lovely place to go for light meal, a great glass of wine and conversation.  I did find that the live entertainment that evening was a bit loud once it started, it was a lovely woman singing and playing her guitar - but as it was right across from our table it made it difficult to talk or hear among our group. I am sure I would have enjoyed sitting and listening to her more had I just been out with my honey for a drink and light fare ~ rather then getting to know new friends.  May have made a difference as well if we had been sitting a bit away from the entertainment, as it was it did make it difficult to talk among each other once she started to play.

I will definitely go back with a few friends or just with my Kevin for a relaxing evening of sipping wine, more of that delicious calamari :) and to listen to the live entertainment, makes for an enjoyable evening ~ or a perfect way to end a movie date night. :)  
 
Lit Italian Wine Bar  -   (780) 757-6688

10132 104th Street
Edmonton, AB T5X 1J7

 

A few more dishes others enjoyed at our table: 

 

bocconcini cheese wrapped in proscuitto - with GF bread