Gluten Free Travel Blog

GlutenFreeTravelSite reviewers: Now you can add your PHOTO to your profile

If you've ever submitted a gluten-free dining or travel review to our website, GlutenFreeTravelSite, you now have the option of being able to add your photo to your Profile. That will allow your photo to display at the bottom of each of your reviews, next to your username. (If you choose not to add a photo, a generic icon of a person displays, just like the one to the left.) But I'll bet you're MUCH better looking than that...so why not add your photo today?! 

Adding a photo is extremely simple. Just click My Account from the top right hand corner of GlutenFreeTravelSite's Home page. Then sign in with your username and password. Next, click Manage Your Account. You'll be taken to your Reviewer Control Panel. Click the Edit Photo link at the top of the page. Then click the Choose File button to Upload an Image. That's it! 

As a reminder, the only reason you even need to "register" on GlutenFreeTravelSite (i.e. choose a username and password) is to submit a review. Visitors to the site are initially led through the quick registation process the first time they begin to submit a review. At that point, a new reviewer is set up in our system and can access their Control Panel at any time, through the My Account link at the top of the Home page.

From there, you can Manage Your Account in several ways: add a photo,  view links to all the reviews you've submitted, and even view "subscriptions" of any destinations you've chosen to monitor. (If you "subscibe" to any destination when searching reviews on our site, via a "Subscribe" link at the top right of each review on our site, that means you'll get an email whenever anyone submits a new review from that destination -- i.e. Arizona). It's a great way to learn about great new GF-friendly places to eat in your area -- or places you travel frequently. 

Gluten Free Travel-US Organizes Gluten Free Trips and Customized Itineraries for Individuals

It's so nice to see companies finally catering to gluten-free travelers, and nowhere is it more important than in the planning stages of a trip. While sites like GlutenFreeTravelSite are a great starting point for gathering ideas about where to stay, shop, and dine when traveling, sometimes you want to go a step further and have someone handle the research and planning for you, including contacting your hotels and restaurants in advance of your trip to ensure the chef understands your needs. And sometimes you just want someone to plan the whole trip, including pointing you towards the best accommodations when traveling domestically or abroad.

That's exactly what GlutenFreeTravelSite's new Site Advertiser, Gluten Free Travel-US does. They'll take care of all your travel needs and ensure your gluten-free expectations are met -- and even surpassed. Since owner Ellen Morse is gluten and dairy free, she is acutely aware of the challenges faced by the traveler with food allergies. She has been creating customized worldwide itineraries for travelers for 14 years. Now, with the services of Estelle Chandler, gluten free consultant and chef, she is able to extend her expertise to the gluten free traveler.

Gluten Free Travel-Us plans "gluten-free friendly" cruises and trips to destinations around the world. They also are happy to plan individual, customized itineraries that allow gluten-free travelers to choose their travel dates, itineraries, and companions. Whether it’s a family trip, destination wedding, or honeymoon, Gluten Free Travel-Us will attend to every detail, including ensuring all your meals are gluten-free. Check out Gluten Free Travel-US for all the latest in 2012 itineraries. Be sure to join the mailing list to hear about the latest itineraries. They'll take good care of all GlutenFreeTravelSite clients!

 

Spectacular Gluten-Free Getaway Weekend at Canyon Ranch in the Berkshires

How would you like to spend three nights getting away from the stress and responsibilities of everyday life…relax in a serene setting…attend complimentary classes and seminars geared to health and wellness…be pampered with spa treatments…and have gluten-free menu selections readily available?

If your body and soul could use a bit a of pampering, you’ll be especially excited to hear that this three-night all inclusive Gluten Free Getaway will take place at one of the world’s most renowned spa resorts – Canyon Ranch -- May 3-6, 2012.

Set in the elegant Bellefontaine mansion in the serene town of Lenox, Massachusetts in the Berkshires -- and just a short drive from New York City or Boston -- Canyon Ranch health resort and spa has set the standard for luxury spa resorts from the time when the original location in Tucson, Arizona opened in 1979.

GlutenFreeTravelSite is proud to promote this incredible weekend organized by Lesley Hock, a travel agent with Travel Leaders who has helped many GlutenFreeTravelSite clients plan gluten-free friendly trips. She has now worked closely with the entire team at Canyon Ranch to put together this fantastic weekend geared specifically to gluten-free guests (don’t worry if you’d like to bring a non-GF spouse, friend, or family member…they are free to order from the fantastic “regular” menus).

This is a rare chance to book a trip for YOU – to relax and recharge knowing you are in good hands with Canyon Ranch’s meticulous chefs creating mouth-watering gluten-free meals throughout your entire 3-night stay. In Lesley’s words, this is, “pampering to the max.” You’ll get all the warm, personalized attention from Canyon Ranch’s caring staff and leading health experts, who will help you achieve renewed health and balance in your life. (There's no need to pack any fancy clothes...Canyon Ranch is designed for your comfort and well-being, and casual, comfortable attire is recommended.)

This special weekend presents a great opportunity to get away with a spouse or significant other – or even treat a parent, sibling, or friend to an unforgettable experience. The peaceful environment provides a perfect setting to reconnect -- and the range of activities offers something for everyone (or maybe you’ll just opt to do nothing at all!). There are two pools, an award-winning spa, hiking, biking, tennis, and classes ranging from health and fitness to parenting, cooking, dance, and creative arts. There will be some special seminars geared toward our gluten-free group…and I’ll even be giving a talk on about dining out and traveling gluten free.

Best of all, your stay includes three delicious gluten-free meals per day, plus unlimited gluten-free snacks throughout the day. In fact, you won’t need to dip into your wallet at all during your entire stay…Canyon Ranch is a “no tipping facility,” and almost all classes and seminars are complimentary. You are invited to enjoy all facilities and activities free of charge, even up until 5 pm on the day you check out. Of course, spa treatments cost extra, but Canyon Ranch is even offering a $260 spa credit as part of this exclusive Gluten Free Getaway package.

The typical rate for this 3-night/4-day all-inclusive package is $3,000, but Canyon Ranch is making this special weekend available for only $1,790, per person (double occupancy), which includes all taxes and occupancy charges. With the spa credit factored in, it’s like getting a 49% discount at this unparalleled resort. Transportation to and from either the Albany or Hartford airport is included, as is a shuttle to and from the nearby town of Lenox, should you choose to spend part of a day wandering its quaint streets and shops.

The only restriction is that guests must be 14 or older to stay at Canyon Ranch, in order to maintain the serene, relaxing environment.

For more details, or to reserve one of the rooms that have been reserved for the Gluten Free Getaway, call Lesley Hock from Travel Leaders at 800-487-6110 or email her at Lhayden@travelleaders.com. 

**NOTE: Although Canyon Ranch offers gluten-free items on its menu, the Canyon Ranch kitchen is not wholly gluten-free. 

 

A Source for Gluten Free Communion Wafers

Practicing Christians often wonder how they will fully participate in Holy Communion if they cannot eat the bread or wafer (host).

The Catholic Church in particular is rooted in Scripture and Tradition. In keeping with the belief that Jesus used wheaten bread at the Last Supper, the Church has required that breads used for communion be made with wheat and contain gluten.

Thanks to the research of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration, a company was found that produces wheat starch, which is wheat that has had most of its gluten removed.  After much trial-and-error, the Benedictine Sisters were able to make low-gluten bread out of this special wheat starch and water. The gluten content is only .01%, or 100 PPM (parts per million). But it is the 37 micrograms that is significant, because the best current information shows that 10 milligrams per day should be safe.

 The low-gluten wafers are made, stored, and shipped in a dedicated gluten-free environment.  Best of all, these wafers meet both the stringent requirements of the Catholic Church as well as the requirements of the gluten-free community, as confirmed by data from the Center for Celiac Research.

You can order 20 wafers for $5.15, plus shipping and handling by calling 800-223-2772 or visiting their website.

Does YOUR church -- whether Catholic or a Protestant denomination -- already offer gluten-free communion wafers? If so, please help other Celiacs find out by submitting a "review" to our sister website, GlutenFreeTravelSite. It's a website with thousands of gluten-free dining and travel reviews, and we are anxious to help get the word out about "GF-friendly" churches, in addition to the reviews of restaurants, hotels/resorts, grocery stores, and cruises we have on our site. Once your "review" is posted, visitors to our site who are searching that particular geographic area will see your church listed. Please help your church -- and us -- spread the word! 

 

 

GlutenFreeTravelSite Updates Its Celiac Resources Page With More Helpful Information and Links for Gluten Free Dining and Travel

We just finished expanding and updating our Resources page on GlutenFreeTravelSite, and we think you'll like the result. It's a treasure trove of links to helpful sites and products that make living gluten-free -- and especially traveling and dining out -- easier and more enjoyable.

You'll find links to all the major Celiac associations, both U.S.-based and international, including direct links to their pages with local chapter contact information. This is helpful to have when planning a trip, since a quick call to the local support group at your destination can often yield great advice. I'd especially recommend doing this when traveling internationally.

Our Resources page also contains a complete guide to Cruising gluten-free, with contact information and the gluten-free policies of all major cruise lines included. Fortunately, most cruise ships now have at least basic gluten-free foods available, and some cruise lines go the extra mile to make their GF guests feel special with all sorts of wonderful GF treats. If a cruise vacation is something you're considering, you can also visit our Caribbean page of reviews, which contains user-submitted reviews of all the major cruise lines.

Other helpful sections of our Resources page include information on handy travel guidebooks...recommended resorts...requesting GF meals on airlines...grocery guides and GF product listings...our favorite Blogs...and a link to a great source for gluten-free groceries (if you sign up for their emails, you'll get regular offers to save 10% on your order). 

Tell us what you think -- and feel free to share any other resources you consult for gluten-free dining and travel!

 

Have you signed up for these Gluten-Free Deals Programs Yet?

I'm sure you've heard of Groupon, Living Social, and other "daily deal" services that offer substantial discounts on all sorts of products and services to groups of people via daily email alerts.  Well, I'm thrilled to let you know that there are now TWO new money-saving services, exclusively geared to the gluten-free community. One is called Gluten-Free Saver, and the other is called Gluten Free Deals. It's absolutely FREE to sign up for these services...you simply visit their sites and enter your email in the sign-up box right on the main page. Then you'll receive email alerts when they have a gluten-free deal. The choice is always yours whether or not to "purchase" the deal  (like $40 worth of product for $15), but if it's something you buy anyway, you can sometimes save up to 80%! Goodness knows we all pay A LOT for gluten-free products...often 2-3 times as much as "regular" versions of a product. Thanks to these two great companies for finally bringing incredible savings on GF products to our community!

Our Guest Blogger Shares Her Tips for Dining Out and Traveling Gluten Free

 

 

I'd like to welcome our Guest Blogger, Amie Valpone, HHP, AADP Culinary Nutritionist and author of The Healthy Apple Blog. Amie is based in Manhattan and specializes in gluten free and dairy free culinary nutrition. As a Culinary Marketing Consultant, she offers many services to clients, including nutrition consultations, personalized healthy menu planing, personal food shopping services and supermarket tours, pantry makeovers, kitchen cooking parties, kids Birthday parties, and in home demonstrations. She joins us today to talk about something near and dear to our hearts...how to best navigate dining out while following a gluten-free diet -- without sacrificing taste!

A gluten-free lifestyle doesn’t mean that you have to say good-bye to your social calendar. You can still enjoy care-free meals at your favorite restaurants.  And eating gluten-free doesn’t mean depriving yourself from your favorite foods, either. Instead, think of it as a way to focus on healthy ‘clean’ eating with naturally gluten-free foods that are fresh and delicious.  When you are planning a trip or dining out, be sure to keep yourself safe by planning ahead.  

• Make a list of the gluten-free foods you can enjoy as well as those foods that contain ‘hidden’ forms of gluten.  This way, you can refer to your list when you are faced with a dining dilemma.

• Vacations and traveling often poses challenges because of the vast array of different ethnic cuisines.  Be sure to ask your server and the chef about the ingredients used in all sauces, marinades and dressings, as these are common spots to find gluten.  To keep it safe, stick with plain food when dining out.  Try a piece of poached fish or chicken, baked tofu or a plate of freshly steamed vegetables with avocado, sea salt and pepper.

• Call the restaurant or stop by during the non-busy hours to talk with the chef and managers.  I usually call the restaurant around 3 o’clock, just between the lunch rush and the dinner crowd. Touching base with the chef before you arrive for your meal will alleviate any questions you may have and will help you enjoy your dining experience, giving you the peace of mind that your meal is safely prepared.

• When you arrive at the restaurant for your meal, be sure to also alert the wait staff that your meal requires special handling.  Then, proceed to order your meal with exact ‘gluten-free’ instructions such as, “Please prepare poached halibut with no sauces, marinades or dressings, simply a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, sea salt and pepper along with a side of baked sweet potato and steamed green vegetables.”  Be sure to make the server aware of your allergy or intolerance to gluten and that you become very sick if your instructions are not followed exactly.

• Many restaurants now cater to us gluten-free folks and offer gluten-free meals and menus.  In addition to the database of user-submitted restaurant reviews on GlutenFreeTravelSite, they also have a list of chain restaurants that offer gluten-free menus. I’d also recommend contacting your local celiac support group.

• Pack portable snacks in your bag at all times during travel to ensure you have a gluten-free nibble on hand when you are faced with a world of gluten-only options.  I like to pack homemade trail mix with cashews, almonds, dried cherries and dried cranberries along with chopped vegetables such as carrot sticks or cherry tomatoes, gluten-free crackers, pretzels and portable hummus.  These snacks are delicious, ‘clean’ foods that are easy to carry and easy to eat when you’re “on the move.”

Just remember to plan ahead, familiarize yourself with the restaurant’s cuisine, and know the foods you can have to ensure a safe, enjoyable and delicious meal.  The fun of traveling and vacationing is to enjoy yourself, your new surroundings and the unique cuisines.  Don’t let your gluten-free lifestyle intimidate you and keep you from living your life to the fullest and eating the foods you enjoy. Just be sure to stay focused on meals and snacks comprising of lean proteins, heart-healthy fats, vegetables and fruits.  Here are a few of my favorite ‘clean’ dishes that are easy to whip up and delicious anytime of the day.

• Edemame Guacamole with rice cakes

• Greek yogurt with agave nectar, slivered almonds, nut butter and gluten-free granola

• Fresh crudités with salsa and avocado slices

• Baked corn tortillas with bean dip, shredded cheese and chopped vegetables 

• Organic turkey slices wrapped in steamed kale with cooked jasmine rice 

• Banana, Swiss chard, spinach, apple and flax seed smoothies

• Chopped grilled chicken with walnuts, dried cherries, curry powder and spinach

You can read Amie's reviews of a couple of her favorite "gluten-free friendly" places on GlutenFreeTravelSite.