It's Celiac Awareness Month.
Obviously, anybody reading this is already aware, and I have nothing new to add. But let's hope the rest of the world becomes more aware.
www.beyondceliac.org/celiac-awareness-month/
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
Monday, April 2, 2018
No hot dogs or beer with Shrimp
I attended opening day at Marlins Park in Miami last week (to see the Cubs, not the Marlins), and was very plesaed to be able to enjoy a gluten-free hot dog and beer from a dedicated cart.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to do the same when the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp open their season at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
The Shrimp (is that what we call them for short?) will have gluten-free snacks available and a gluten-free cider, but unfortunately no hot dog or beer.
To his credit, Ernest Hopkins, director of food and beverage, is well aware of cross-contamination concerns with gluten-free concessions. And the reason the Shrimp don't offer things like hot dogs is that he doesn't think they can safely provide gluten-free options like that.
But, it's still a disappointment because as I've said many times, hot dogs and beer are part of the ballpark experience.
I was also disappointed when I attended several spring training games at Florida ballparks last month and couldn't find gluten-free hot dogs or beer. But I was pretty confident that I would find them in Miami, and I was rewarded.
On my last visit to Marlins Park three years ago, I was pleased to find a dedicated cart with gluten-free items but irritated that the cart was called the "Fit Cart." Like hot dogs and beer are part of a fitness regimen.
I was able to talk to the Marlins' executive chef and he assured me that the name of the cart would change. Sure enough, as you can see on the photo, the cart is now the "Avoiding Gluten" cart. I assume they used that name for legal reasons in case someone challenges the notion that the food meets the FDA standards to be labeled gluten free.
But again, on a cart where everything "avoids" gluten, I am pretty confident that the food I get is gluten free.
Some may be disappointed that the options are limited but all I want at the ballpark is a hot dog and beer. I was very happy.
Unfortunately, we won't be able to do the same when the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp open their season at the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville.
 |
| The Avoiding Gluten cart at Marlins Park |
The Shrimp (is that what we call them for short?) will have gluten-free snacks available and a gluten-free cider, but unfortunately no hot dog or beer.
To his credit, Ernest Hopkins, director of food and beverage, is well aware of cross-contamination concerns with gluten-free concessions. And the reason the Shrimp don't offer things like hot dogs is that he doesn't think they can safely provide gluten-free options like that.
But, it's still a disappointment because as I've said many times, hot dogs and beer are part of the ballpark experience.
I was also disappointed when I attended several spring training games at Florida ballparks last month and couldn't find gluten-free hot dogs or beer. But I was pretty confident that I would find them in Miami, and I was rewarded.
On my last visit to Marlins Park three years ago, I was pleased to find a dedicated cart with gluten-free items but irritated that the cart was called the "Fit Cart." Like hot dogs and beer are part of a fitness regimen.
I was able to talk to the Marlins' executive chef and he assured me that the name of the cart would change. Sure enough, as you can see on the photo, the cart is now the "Avoiding Gluten" cart. I assume they used that name for legal reasons in case someone challenges the notion that the food meets the FDA standards to be labeled gluten free.
But again, on a cart where everything "avoids" gluten, I am pretty confident that the food I get is gluten free.
Some may be disappointed that the options are limited but all I want at the ballpark is a hot dog and beer. I was very happy.
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
No gluten-free doughnuts at the Mini Bar
I was looking forward to the opening of the Mini Bar, a new doughnut shop in Jacksonville Beach, because it was promising to offer fresh gluten-free doughnuts. At least that's what the Times-Union story said.
So I went to visit this morning and found, of course, they don't have gluten-free doughnuts.
We can talk about how unreliable the Times-Union has become since they whittled the staff down to nothing, but let's talk about the doughnuts instead.
Basically, they told me they are considering offering gluten-free doughnuts, but they haven't figured out a way to do it safely (free from cross-contamination) and to keep them fresh. They considered making a separate batch of gluten-free doughnuts early in the morning before they start making the other doughnuts, but then they might not be able to keep them fresh.
So, we still have to do without fresh gluten-free doughnuts.
Sigh.
So I went to visit this morning and found, of course, they don't have gluten-free doughnuts.
We can talk about how unreliable the Times-Union has become since they whittled the staff down to nothing, but let's talk about the doughnuts instead.
Basically, they told me they are considering offering gluten-free doughnuts, but they haven't figured out a way to do it safely (free from cross-contamination) and to keep them fresh. They considered making a separate batch of gluten-free doughnuts early in the morning before they start making the other doughnuts, but then they might not be able to keep them fresh.
So, we still have to do without fresh gluten-free doughnuts.
Sigh.
Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Party City calls celiacs "gross"
I thought we had moved past this and it's been an awfully long time since I've posted anything on this subject (I mostly post these days when I find something new to eat).
But you should read this post from the Gluten Dude, one of the top bloggers out there. I haven't seen this ad and I don't want to, but apparently this retailer called Party City was running an ad which makes fun of celiacs, referring to "people like that" and saying it's "gross."
It's just a reminder that when Celiac Awareness Month comes up, we still have work to do.
You can read the blog here:
https://glutendude.com/media/party-city-calls-celiacs-gross/
But you should read this post from the Gluten Dude, one of the top bloggers out there. I haven't seen this ad and I don't want to, but apparently this retailer called Party City was running an ad which makes fun of celiacs, referring to "people like that" and saying it's "gross."
It's just a reminder that when Celiac Awareness Month comes up, we still have work to do.
You can read the blog here:
https://glutendude.com/media/party-city-calls-celiacs-gross/
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