Pamela's & GIG's Gluten-free challenge

Take the challenge! Learn how to "go gluten-free" for a weekend (May 22-23) in support of a friend or loved one who has to live gluten-free. There's no fee to participate, and you can get free tips and recipes, plus product giveaways, and a certificate of completion at the end.

The full challenge is to eat one gluten-free item per day in the month of May, and completely gluten-free on the culminating weekend, May 22-23. The challenge is intended to raise awareness of Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance during Gluten-free Awareness Month.

Read more at http://www.gogfchallenge.com/ .

ps - Take a look at my archived posts for some great gluten-free meal ideas. Check back for more recipes in the month of May!

Haitian recipes available for fundraisers

I've just adapted two Haitian recipes to be gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free and am offering them to groups sponsoring events to help raise money for Haiti relief.

The new recipes are for Haitian cake (or cupcakes) and Pen Patat, a bread made with fresh white sweet potatoes. I made the cupcakes for the ImagineHaitian art benefit yesterday and I think it is the best-tasting cake I have ever made, gluten or otherwise!

The cupcakes and various sizes of loaves will also be available for special orders this Spring, so if you would like to feature them at your event or private party, please send a message to bloomington4haiti@gmail.com.

Kat's Kitchen on hiatus... returning soon!

Kat's Kitchen has been on a temporary break the last couple of months. At first it was just for the holidays. But then the earthquake happened, so more recently I've been involved in a lot of wonderful events and planning for relief efforts for Haiti.

I just wanted to encourage you to get involved to help at whatever level you can, whether that's through cash donations or volunteering your time with a fundraising or awareness event.

Kat's will be back in the spring with new products, including delicious Jewish Un-Rye Bread (completely GF!) and some Haitian-inspired goodies (like Haitian Cake and Pen Patat).

Find out what's going on to help Haiti in our community at these links:

http://bloomington4haiti.wordpress.com

http://twitter.com/bton4haiti

http://www.indiana.edu/~haiti

http://bloomington.in.gov/haitirelief

Holiday Market a success!

Just wanted to say a special thank you to everyone who came out to the Holiday Market last weekend. I met a lot of wonderful people with gluten, dairy, and/or soy sensitivities (and some without), and all were very supportive of my efforts to increase our locally-made, allergen-free/allergen-aware food options.

The Ginger-Sorghum cookies, Maple Hazelnut Sunflower bars and Orange Cranberry loaves were a big hit, so thank you!

Now's the time to place orders for GFCF baked goods or gift baskets for the holidays. Order now through December 12 for pickup/delivery by December 20. (Email me for order forms.)

If you have any questions about ingredients, products, special or combo orders, etc, I'll be happy to send you more information or a price quote.

Be sure to subscribe by email or RSS feed to receive future updates, or send me an email to be friended on Facebook or Myspace.

Thanks again for your support!

be well,
Kat

Holiday Market this Saturday!

Once your Thanksgiving food coma has worn off, come on out on Saturday to the Bloomington Holiday Market for some great gluten-free sweets and treats.

Where: Showers Plaza, near 8th and Morton
When: 10am-3pm, Saturday November 28

Look for my "Gluten-Free!" sign at the Bloomington Kitchen Incubator booth. Expect to find Orange Cranberry Bread, sorghum cookies, rich chocolate brownies, and apple muffins. (And maybe some surprises!) Full product and price list to be posted here before the event.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Celiac supplement in today's USA Today!

Media Planet and the Celiac Disease Foundation put out an excellent 12-page supplement on Celiac Disease signs, diagnosis, treatment, nutrition, and dining in today's USA Today. Check out this "Gluten Free Optimist" post, which contains a link to a pdf version available for download.

Gluten Free Optimist: USA Today Celiac Disease Supplement

(Just in case, here's the direct link to the pdf on the CDF website: "Celiac Disease, Your Guide to Living Gluten-Free")

*Remember, you could have Celiac Disease and not know it - not everyone has obvious (GI) signs. If you do suspect any kind of gluten sensitivity, please get tested for CD before removing gluten from your diet, to avoid incorrect diagnoses in the future.

GF bread takes 2nd place!

The winners have been announced!

Kat's Orange-Cranberry Bread took 2nd place at the Fifth Annual Bread Fest, a baking contest and fundraiser supporting the Community Justice and Mediation Center of Bloomington. Over 25 breads were entered by professional and amateur bakers in three categories: quick, yeast, and celebration. My two entries were the only gluten-free options at the event!

I'm very excited about the recognition of this brand-new recipe, which pairs fresh cranberries with dried and candied orange peel for a tangy taste of autumn.

I'm especially pleased at the positive reception for a gluten-free entry -- it's thrilling to place over so many traditional wheat-based breads.

If you want to try some "award-winning" gluten-free bread for yourself, please come find me at the Bloomington Kitchen Incubator's booth at the upcoming Holiday Market on November 28. We'll be outside at Showers Plaza (next to the Saturday Farmer's Market) from 10am-3pm. I will have Orange-Cranberry mini-loaves and other gluten-free/dairy-free/soy-free items available for sale and sampling. (I'll post a full product list once I've decided on it :)

So dress warm... and come hungry! And thanks to everyone who came out to support CJAM tonight. Check out what they do at http://www.cjam.org/.

be well,
Kat