www.turtlemountain.com/products/purely_decadent_Coconut_Milk.html

You probably noticed that the Product Title is So Delicious, but the link takes you to Turtle Mountain. That’s because So Delicious is a product produce by Turtle Mountain. So don’t be confused.

Good news for Celiacs who can’t eat dairy or soy! So Delicious has released a line of gluten-free Coconut Milk Ice Cream and Yogurt. Celiac Disease will often lead to other digestive ailments and allergies (like dairy). So being able to devour a tub of ice cream again is fantastic! The best part about the coconut milk (besides the taste), is the health benefits compared to soy. The general population is lead to believe that soy is a healthy alternative to milk, but there is a lot that we are not made aware of. I won’t get into details since I am not a nutritionist, but I do suggest being careful and doing lots of research.

So Delicious really is just that… so delicious! They offer gluten-free coconut milk ice cream flavours from chocolate to cookies and cream. Take a look around the website. They also have some other gluten-free products besides the coconut milk ice cream and yogurt. But I’ve posted these because the website confirms the entire lines are gluten-free. Coconut milk ice cream… unbelievably good!

I’m not sure if I should be excited or scared about this one. Pizza Pizza now offers gluten-free pizza! It was actually released in the spring of 2008. For those of you who are not familiar, Pizza Pizza is a huge franchise with many locations throughout Ontario and Quebec.
On one hand, I’m very impressed that Pizza Pizza sees the necessity to introduce gluten-free options in the quickly-growing market. I wish more there were more gluten-free pizza options for Celiacs across Canada.
But because I am very familiar with the preparation of regular pizzas in a pizza place, I can’t help but be concerned about cross-contamination. There is just so much flour (and gluten) scattered across tables, counters, prep surfaces, employees hands and the ovens that I have to question the safety of producing a truly gluten-free pizza in this kind of environment. Perhaps in an upscale restaurant where the kitchen staff can take the time to take necessary precautions. But in a fastfood place, I just don’t know.
However, even with my personal skepticism, Pizza Pizza stands by their gluten-free offerings. I really do hope they are able to produce and offer safe, gluten-free pizza to the masses. This would be fantastic to see. And hopefully other chains would follow their lead.
Have a look at their press release below. There is direct contact information on this link to address any specific gluten-free questions about their pizzas.

Location:
Many locations throughout Ontario and Quebec.
Visit website for locations and telephone
www.pizzapizza.ca

www.nestle.ca

When I first started eating gluten-free, one of my first realizations was that sweets, chocolate and snack food would never be the same. Fortunately, many of the giant corporations like Nestlé have begun making steps in the direction towards accommodating serious allergies (like gluten). They still have a long ways to go, but Nestlé has released a listing which shows their gluten-free items.
It is important to remember that because something is listed as gluten-free, it may still be produced in a factory which has gluten-containing products. So cross-contamination is still a slight threat. That being said, Celiac Disease and gluten intolerance tends to have varying levels of severity. Some people may not be affected by trace amounts of gluten while others will be.
Nevertheless, here is the list which I received directly from Nestlé:

NESTLE GLUTEN-FREE PRODUCTS

I can’t believe I haven’t found this place before now! Mexi Cali restaurant on Dunbar serves up some great Mexican cuisine. And even though the majority of Mexican food is gluten-free, Mexi Cali has taken the time to label their gluten-free items on the menu!
So stop by Mexi Cali restaurant for a delicious gluten-free Mexican meal with complete confidence of a safe and tasty experience.

Location:
4424 Dunbar St.
Vancouver, BC
V6S 2G5
Tel: 604-731-6517
www.mexicali.ca

Milestones is another chain that has put in lot of effort to shifting their image to a more modern, hip, lounge-like atmosphere. They seem to have kept up with places like Joey, Cactus Club and Earls quite well. So how to they rank when it comes to serving tasty gluten-free meals?
Well, not too bad, actually. Miletstones is know for their allergy guides and their ability accommodate practically any dietary need. Celiac disease and eating gluten-free seems to be something Milestones can satisfy.
However, from experience, you will want to make sure you speak to someone who understands your allergy. In one particular location, we had a server who was completely adamant that she knew the exact ingredients in every menu item. Her confidence was not reassure, though. It was actually a bit arrogant. And my gut feeling was right about here. It turned out that the salmon I had was marinaded in something containing gluten. Needless to say I was not pleased.
However, I gave Milestones another chance because I knew the had a good reputation for food allergies. The next time (and every time since then) has been great. I do make a point of telling my server about my past experience so they understand the importance of checking every thing with the chefs. So don’t let me one bad experience deter you from trying a gluten-free meal at Milestones. But learn from my mistake….listen to your instincts, never forget to ask questions, and don’t be embarrassed to ask to speak to the chef directly.

Location:
Many Locations. See Website.
Tel: See website for all numbers
www.milestonesrestaurants.com

Moxie’s Grill has changed a lot over the last several years. I can remember a time when elderly people would swarm to Moxie’s for an early-bird dinner. But The image has taken a 180. Moxie’s now has a modern, hip image with a greatly improved menu. It’s a great place to go for a casual meal, or dress up a bit for a more elegant atmosphere. Either way, you won’t feel out of place.
Moxie’s does not have a gluten free menu, but they will accommodate. The knowledge of the servers is typically pretty good, but can obviously vary. So far, my gluten-free experiences at Moxie’s have been good. The staff has been able to easily make suggestions and alterations to the existing menu items. As always, don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions.

Location:
Many locations. See Website.
Tel: See website for all location phone numbers.
www.moxies.ca

Gluten-free quiche, lasagna, soup, cookies and scones… The Green Spot Cafe in Regina has it all! You don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy the gluten-free options that they offer here.
The Green Spot takes a special interest and extra precautions to ensure the food they server is gluten-free and safe for all celiacs. Check out the website for their complete gluten-free menu.

Location:
2012 – 12th Ave.
Regina, SK
S4P 0M3
Tel: 306-757-7899
www.greenspotcafe.ca

Since I am a meat-eater, it can be a bit difficult to persuade me into a vegan or vegetarian restaurant. But the menu at Fresh almost makes you forget that you’re not eating any meat! Delicious gluten-free vegetarian food! The menu does not specifically label their gluten-free options, but it does mention that they can easily accommodate eating wheat-free. Just ask you server for some help and they’ll happily point out the safe gluten-free items.

Location:
894 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON
M6J 1G3
Tel: 416-533-9923
www.freshrestaurants.ca

www.sequelnaturals.com/vega

Super-athlete, Brendan Brazier, has developed this phenomenally healthy product. Vega produces one of the most complete meal replacement or supplement bar I’ve tasted. They come in a few different flavours. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the taste, but I suppose like every other product on the market, not everyone will agree. They have recently become 100% gluten-free as indicated on the packaging and website.

www.amys.com

Although not all products are gluten-free, Amy’s Kitchen offer a variety of products that are safe for people with celiac disease.

Gluten-free soup, gluten-free rice pizza, gluten-free pasta… Amy’s caters to every taste bud. I’m a big fan of their organic soup collection.
Be sure to read the labels and view their website for complete gluten-free product listings. Amy’s Kitchen has taken the time to label all major allergens and dietary restrictions.