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I recently had the opportunity to sample a selection of gluten free fruit snacks from Betty Crocker.  First was a variety pack that contains: Fruit Roll-Ups; Fruit Gushers; and Fruit by the Foot.  The second box contained Create-A-Bug fruit flavored snacks.  All of the snacks were really very good.

The first box was really a nostalgic trip down memory lane.  I remember the odd Fruit Roll-Up being packed in my lunches as a child for a sweet treat.  There is something about the sound the plastic makes as you unroll it that really took me back to my childhood.  More importantly it tasted just as I remembered it.  The Fruit Gushers were interesting small jewel-shaped fruit snacks that were filled with a tangy gel.  Finally, the Fruit by the Foot was similar to the Fruit Roll-Up only thinner and longer.  The Create-A-Bug snacks are your traditional fruit snacks that you (or your kids) can assemble into strange bug variations that kids will surely love.  What's nice about these snacks is they are portion controlled which will make parents happy and each individual package is 100 calories or less...nice.  The fact that they are gluten free (now prominently featured on the boxes) is just the icing on the cake.

So I thought, what better way to start the week than with a great giveaway supplied by my friends at My Blog Spark.  One lucky GFM reader will win a fantastically retro Simple Joys prize pack containing two full-sized boxes of product as described above, a fun light-up yo-yo, a set of colored pick-up sticks, and a red Frisbee .  Perfect if you have children or are just young at heart. 

Here's all you need to do to win:
Simply make a comment to this post being sure to include your name and e-mail address (e-mail will not be displayed) on the provided form along with what's your favorite gluten free Simple Joy (can be anything at all) and your city and state.  It is that easy. 

One winner will be selected at random and will receive the fabulous Betty Crocker Simple Joys prize pack pictured above.  The deadline to enter is Thursday at midnight Pacific time.  The lucky winner will be announced on Friday.  This giveaway is open to U.S. and Canadian residents only, but don't worry my international readers I will try to have something for you soon.
 
 
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Let’s face it, being gluten free and fabulous is a lot of work and try as I might to squeeze everything in to a mere 24 hours it is a challenge.  My day job is quite hectic and requires focus and quite frankly allows me to maintain my gluten free and fabulous lifestyle to which I am accustomed.  Oh, I am not going to sugar coat it; GFM is HIGH maintenance but as you know makes no apologies.  Work hard, play harder…what a great mantra.

As I have been gaining more and more readers, I though it might be a good time to do a Best of GFM’s blog posts.  So, I selected some of my favorite posts and thought the best way to share was to shove them right in all of your facesJ.  To my new readers, I hope you will find them both entertaining and useful.  To my regulars, isn’t the second time around always best?  Here are my top 10 favs, in no particular order because quite frankly can you really pick a favorite child:

1.       A Tale of Two Allergies

2.       I'm Not Hungry. I'll Just Pick

3.       Fait Accompli, Gluten Free

4.       Sometimes the Most Delicious Things in Life are the Most Dangereuse Dahlings

5.       Not in My Backyard

6.       Living Well in a World Full of Gluten

7.       A Family Affair

8.       Knowledge is Power

9.       Gluten Free at the Office

10.   Fly Me to the Moon
 
 
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Last evening’s entertaining went off without a hitch.  We were just having a dear friend of our over for a belated birthday dinner as he just got back from Newport.  It was a simple evening that consisted of a small selection of cocktail nibbles (crackers, cheeses, and dips).   Gin and tonic, Rum and seltzer, and some fantastic white wine were the beverages of choice.  For starters a guests were offered a choice of gluten free (penne) or regular (rigatoni) in a wonderfully delicious broccoli rabe and sausage sauce topped with freshly grated pecorino Romano cheese (recipe will soon  follow).  For the main course was an organic seasoned turkey breast paired with organic mixed greens with my famous salad dressing (working on getting permission from my other half whose uncle originated the recipe to post on my site, I added my own twist, but don’t want to give away any family secrets, LOL).  For dessert a simple vanilla ice cream was paired with a rich chocolate sauce for just a little bit of additional sweet on sweet goodness.

Now, yes, I normally do not prepare gluten free and gluten dishes for entertaining (it is just a lot of work and quite frankly there are enough gluten free options out the that it is not a problem) but had some pasta from when my parents were visiting that needed to be used.  It really was not a big deal to have two pots boiling away and just remember to stir with separate utensils AND strain the gluten free pasta first.
 
 
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I truly feel that I have been running nonstop for the past few months and it does not appear to be slowing down anytime soon.  Don’t get me wrong, I enjoying being busy and social but GFM also likes a little bit of me time from time to time.  Anyway, fear not my gluten free friends; I am busy working on some great new recipes that will be posted shortly to the site.  I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but let’s just hope you like pasta.  GFM does and I have several new brands sitting in my cupboard to review and figured why not incorporate them into the dishes I love and then share them with all of you.

GFM is entertaining yet again this weekend so I will be sure to report back with the menu.  I am trucking forward with my QNYGF series and the fourth locale is already in the works.  In October my in-laws will be in from Bermuda which is always fun (and I will have to get the recipe from my mother in-law for the gluten Rhubarb crumble she made).  A few more social events and trips scattered somewhere in there and November sees me travelling to Switzerland for a bit of R&R and of course international gluten free living on a grand scale.  It should be fun and I will be blogging about everything from my flights to the events to the restaurants on this trip.

Finally, GFM will be a featured correspondent on an exciting new gluten free Web venture that is launching soon so stay tuned for more information on that.
 
 
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I am putting the finishing touches on my review of Bette Midler’s New York Restoration Project restaurant the New Leaf Café (the third locale in my QNYGF series) located in Fort Tryon Park at the upper-most tip of Manhattan.  Was I able to do it gluten free?  Well, you will just have to wait for the review to find out.  Having had my parents in town I had to shift focus from my site but now all is back to normal (or as normal as it will ever be) so I am back feet first into sharing my GF journey.

On a somewhat related not, GFM is now back on Twitter.  The Twitter Gods realized the error of their ways in my account suspension and reinstated my account and all of my followers.  While I was hesitant to re-emerge myself in Twitter I decided that being able to reach as many people as possible and spread the word about GF Living is more important than holding a grudge – though there is still a rather large chip on my shoulder but it is quickly fading.  If you do not already follow me on Twitter please follow me at www.twitter.com/glutenfreemike.

As always, thanks for reading and keep Living Well Gluten Free, No Apologies.
 
A Family Affair 09/10/2009
 
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GFM is hosting his parents this weekend (actually starting today).  It is great to see them and if you did not see my status update on Facebook the other day I count myself very lucky to have them here.  About a year and a half ago my father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer that was found really as a fluke as there is no proper test for this type of highly aggressive cancer.  Long story short, after a major surgery (8.5 hours), chemo, and radiation he is still here and, cancer free. 

I supposed I was waxing nostalgic yesterday as it was his birthday – one I in all honesty did not think I would see.  When all of this first happened, my brother who is a medical doctor, helped keep me grounded and realistic as to my father’s prognosis.  Sometimes the truth is harsh and not what we want to hear but, alas, looking back I am glad to have prepared for the worse and hoped for the best.  I was able to move to the West Coast (where my parents were for the surgery) and work remotely the entire time thanks to my company (a great one by the way).  Throughout it all my father never once complained, other than he was “too thin” proving that heroes are, in fact, right in front of our eyes and we just need to open them.

 Both my parents have actually had bouts with cancer.  My mother had breast cancer and prior to this last bout my father had prostate cancer.  It is experiences like this that make me realize my food allergies are really insignificant in the broader spectrum of life and quite frankly if they are the only hurdles I must leap through, I count myself lucky.

Anyway, we are an extremely close knit family and my parents have been married more than 50 years now.  I will dedicate a post to the fabulous party my brother and I threw for them high above Manhattan soon because it was a lesson in gluten free party planning on a truly grand scale so stay tuned.
 
 
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My review of Sylvia’s in Harlem is now ready for your viewing pleasure.  It marks the second installment of my Quintessentially New York Gluten Free (QNYGF) series which, for those of you unfamiliar, has me visiting some of the most iconic establishments in the City to show that you can be gluten free and fabulous anywhere.  If you missed the inaugural locale be sure to check it out as GFM took on his all time favorite restaurant here in N.Y.C. – The Four Seasons.

I love a challenge (remember GFM is not only Celiac but also hyper-allergic to shellfish)  and cannot stress enough that with just a little bit of research and leg work you can have a terrific meal wherever you like without having to deny yourself.  Hey, we only get one go on this big blue marble so I am Living Well Gluten Free, No Apologies. 
 
 
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GFM had a truly terrific day yesterday.  The second locale for my QNYGF series was revealed but in case you missed it, GFM dined at Sylvia’s, a Harlem landmark since 1962.  You’ll be able to read all about how I faired on the gluten free front in a couple of days, as I am putting the final touches on the review.

Just because I have Celiac is not going to limit me experiencing fantastic new places and more importantly food.  Many of you know that I am not only Celiac but am hyper-allergic to all shellfish which always puts cross-contamination front of mind for me.  As you will see from my upcoming review of Sylvia’s living a full gluten free life just takes a bit of extra legwork – researching your locales before visiting, coming up with a game plan, and asking the right questions.  Doing a bit of leg work goes a very long way in allowing you to get out there and, as GFM likes to say, Live Well Gluten Free, No Apologies.
 
Holiday Road... 09/04/2009
 
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If you are reading this in my Notes on Facebook, please click here to view this post in all of its blog glory.

Ah, a long holiday weekend ahead here in the United States.  Time to put away the summer whites (seriously people, away) and get into the fall mind set.  So what will GFM be doing you ask?  Well, being gluten free and fabulous of course.  I figured what better time than this weekend to add the second restaurant to my QNYGF series and I promise it will not disappoint.  It is my first time at this particular locale so it should prove a very interesting challenge.  Remember, I am not only Celiac but also hyper-allergic to shellfish, ALL shellfish.  I am really looking forward to giving this place a go – ah, the lengths I go to for my readers, LOL.

I also have an impressive selection of gluten free treats to eat my way through this weekend (thank goodness for the extra day in there) so lots of new and delicious product reviews are on their way. Oh, and since I am quite frankly a bit of a lush, I am adding a new cocktail category to my Recipes section so you will definitely not want to miss that. 

Hopefully the weather will remain as lovely as it is today and I will be able to enjoy a relaxing weekend of gluten free gluttony.
 
 
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In Manhattan we have a phenomenon that is known as cart food or street meat as it is affectionately known.  Now, I am not talking about the dirty dogs that come out of the hot dog carts but rather the wonderful ethnic food carts that seem to be popping up with increasing frequency.  In the small area near my office there are at least 4-5 carts in a 2 block radius.  I am a bit OCD with cleanliness so many find it shocking that I would actually eat off of a cart but, the truth is, many of these carts have been around longer than some of the restaurants in the same area and the daily lines, even in the dead of winter is also very telling.  Many have been reviewed or featured in local and national media and garner cult-like following.

Cart food often reminds we of my travels, walking through tight alleys to sample local delicacies well off the beaten path.  In the NYC one of the most popular types of food is the gyro-like Halal lamb, chicken, or both served over your choice of rice along with salad and vegetables then smothered with both white and spicy hot red sauce.

The crispness of the cool salad coupled with the rich and spicy sauces and tender, flavorful meat really makes for a taste sensation that always pleases.  My craving for cart food is often cyclical and I go through spurts where I will eat it twice a week and sometimes will not have it for months.  It is all about my mood but one thing that is consistent is that I am never disappointed in the taste and quality.  I also do not have to worry about gluten or my shellfish allergies at the carts I frequent (though do always look at the food prep area and ask any questions you might have).  Some carts offer pita that are sometimes warmed on the grill or toss a couple falafal on top but it comes down to the cart.  So, if you are in NYC or visiting do yourself a favor and give this cuisine a try and with most carts charging $5.00 for a large lunch portion it is THE steal in the City.