Nuffnang

Friday, August 28, 2009

10 Must-have Gluten Free books

Since my first days researching gluten-free alternatives I've found a lot of information online but it can be overwhelming. It helps to have access to some great books which help to break things down into simple to understand information and some great recipes. Here are some of my favourite books. Some of them are available in the Shellharbour, Kiama and Wollongong City libraries. If your library doesn't stock the book you want you can fill out a card and request they order them in. You will then be notified when the image is available for loan.

My favourite book at the moment is:

Is it Gluten-Free? An A-Z of Things Gluten-Free.(Book review): An article from: Nutrition & Dietetics: The Journal of the Dietitians Association of Australia by Kim Faulkner-Hogg
Buy new: $9.95

I believe in the KISS method - Keep It Simple, Stupid - and with this book it helps to simplify things and give you a framework to build upon with further research. A great book to share with someone new to the gluten-free lifestyle or for a family member who has no idea why you'd want to reduce gluten from your diet or what are the hidden gluten ingredients in everyday cooking.

Another favourite is Living Gluten-Free for DUMMIES. Practical, delicious ways to manage a gluten-free diet. Much like the above book, it helps to have information presented in a simple and concise manner so that you can 'say goodbye to gluten and say hello to good health'.
Living Gluten-Free For Dummies (For Dummies (Health & Fitness)) by Danna Korn
Buy new: $13.59 / Used from: $7.98
Usually ships in 24 hours
Gluten-Free Baking Classics by Annalise G. Roberts
Buy new: $12.21 / Used from: $10.32
Usually ships in 24 hours
Gluten-Free Quick & Easy: From Prep to Plate Without the Fuss - 200+ Recipes for People with Food Sensitivities by Carol Fenster
Buy new: $12.89 / Used from: $10.50
Usually ships in 24 hours
The G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival GuideThe G-Free Diet: A Gluten-Free Survival Guide by Elisabeth Hasselbeck
Buy new: $16.49 / Used from: $13.92
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Gluten-Free Vegan: 150 Delicious Gluten-Free, Animal-Free RecipesThe Gluten-Free Vegan: 150 Delicious Gluten-Free, Animal-Free Recipes by Susan O'Brien
Buy new: $13.22 / Used from: $9.76
Usually ships in 24 hours
1,000 Gluten-Free Recipes by Carol Fenster
Buy new: $23.10 / Used from: $19.51
Usually ships in 24 hours
The Gluten-Free Gourmet Cooks Comfort Foods: Creating Old Favorites with the New Flours by Bette Hagman
Buy new: $12.92 / Used from: $7.56
Usually ships in 24 hours
Gluten-Free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back...And How You Can TooGluten-Free Girl: How I Found the Food That Loves Me Back...And How You Can Too by Shauna James Ahern
Buy new: $10.17 / Used from: $10.11
Usually ships in 24 hours
You Won't Believe It's Gluten-Free!: 500 Delicious, Foolproof Recipes for Healthy LivingYou Won't Believe It's Gluten-Free!: 500 Delicious, Foolproof Recipes for Healthy Living by Roben Ryberg
Buy new: $17.12 / Used from: $11.85
Usually ships in 24 hours

If you know of a book on gluten-free diet please leave a comment with a short blurb and I'll add your review to the site with credit.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

My journey to a Gluten-Free diet

What prompted you to change to a Gluten-free diet?

Over the years I have become aware of foods with gluten which can trigger nasty side-effects. Most of the times they are foods that I crave, such a starchy breads, cakes or doughnuts. Consumption of these 'comfort foods' can result in painful side-effects such as stomach cramps, wind, bloating, diarrhoea, facial bloating and sometimes headaches and 'brain fog'. Now it has a name - Gluten sensitivity.


"
Gluten sensitivity (GS) encompasses a collection of medical conditions in which gluten has an adverse effect... Gluten is composed of the sticky, storage proteins found in wheat."1

It wasn't until I started to note the link between diet and my body's response that I realised I was sensitive to gluten and yeast. When I removed these foods from my diet I found I had more energy and very little bloating and my bowel problems all but disappeared.

Since delving into Gluten-Free diet I have learned that it is not only wheat which I have to avoid, but a wider range of grains and some sauces which use wheat-based thickening. It is the hidden sources of gluten in food which makes dining out or buying takeaway meals so difficult.


"
A gluten-free diet is a diet completely free of ingredients derived from gluten-containing cereals: wheat (including kamut and spelt), barley, rye, and triticale, as well as the use of gluten as a food additive in the form of a flavoring, stabilizing or thickening agent." 2


I have friends who are Celiacs and for them any gluten can trigger a world of pain - even a crumb. The term coeliac derives from the Greek κοιλιακός (koiliakόs, "abdominal")


"Coeliac disease (pronounced siːli.æk/), also spelled celiac disease, is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine that occurs in genetically predisposed people of all ages from middle infancy on up. Symptoms include chronic diarrhoea, failure to thrive (in children), and fatigue, but these may be absent, and symptoms in other organ systems have been described. A growing portion of diagnoses are being made in asymptomatic persons as a result of increased screening... Other cereals such as maize (corn), quinoa, millet, sorghum, teff, amaranth, buckwheat, rice, and wild rice are safe for patients to consume" 3

At first the changes I made was to limit the amount of bread I ate to two slices a day, switching from the cheap white bread to gluten-free Soy and Linseed bread. I also cut out wheat-based pasta and switched to rice and corn-based varieties purchased in the health food section of Woolworths and Coles.

Now I prefer to eat Gluten-Free bread such as Country Life Bakery Low-GI Gluten Free which can be purchased through Woolworths. It is made with a combination of rice flour, tapioca flour, Linseed meal, psyllium husks, buckwheat, rice bran - and tastes fantastic!

These can be expensive but if you limit yourself to two pieces of bread a day and keep some bread frozen in sandwich bags in packs of two they can last longer. The loaf size is half that of regular bread and twice as expensive but you can't put a price on your health. Before I go shopping I visit Woolworths HomeShop (homeshop.com.au) and do a search for Gluten-Free. You would be surprised at the range that Woolworths stocks. Sometimes you may need to ask the store manager to order in some products in a range, as I have found that some of the smaller stores such as Warilla Grove do not carry the full line but are often willing to order them in if there is a need. Woolworths now delivers to more areas including Lake Illawarra where I live, which makes things easier.

What Gluten-Free products do you use?

Favourite brands stocked at Woolworths include:



Country Life Bread Gluten Free Sliced 510g $6.13


Woolworths Free From Pizza Dough Gluten Free 320g
$3.40

Woolworths Free From Choc Chip Muffin Mix Gluten Free 450g $5.28


San Remo Pasta Macaroni Gluten Free 250g


Leda Gluten Free Gingernut Cookies 155g
3.18

Freedom Foods Gluten Free Wraps 170g 4.37



Orgran Flour S/Raise Wheat Gluten Free 500g
3.51

Nu-Vit Linseed Gluten Free 500g 2.28


I also enjoy the Empower range of Gluten-Free cake and muffin mixes available at health food stores.

I often make my own breads, including Cornbread which is made from using three types of corn flours (polenta, cornfour and white maize). It is wonderful for sandwiches or as an accompaniment to dishes such as stews, curries and soups. It tates great when toasted with some chilli and cheese and you can add other ingredients to it to make it more savory, such as jalapeno chills and Parmesan. Today I made some jalapeno chilli and Parmesan cornbread muffins which are cooking as I write. The smells reminds me a little of the cheesey scones my Grandmother used to make.

Does having a Gluten free diet equate that you can have a boring menu?

As the list of gluten-free flours grow it is getting easier to cook our favourite meals without a loss of flavour or texture. I am excited by the use of coconut flour (made from
finely ground coconut meat) and coconut oil for shortbreads and other biscuits but also in pastries and pie crusts. Rather than feeling saddened by the need to restrict gluten in my diet I am excited by the alternatives that are out there and look upon this as a way of widening my ingredients list and exploring some of the long established gluten-free alternatives used in cuisines around the world.

For example, Besan or Gram (chickpea) flour "is a staple ingredient in Indian and Bangladeshi cuisines... and when mixed with an equal proportion of water, can be used as an egg-replacer in vegan cooking... the flour is used to make pakoras, papadums, and onion bhajis, Burmese tofu, and jidou liangfen."3

When I realised this, it explained why I had less problems with much of the Indian cuisine I enjoy than I did when ordering pizzas or other wheat-based fast food favourites. If you don't have access to Besan Flour then you can make some yourself using chickpeas which are available in many supermarkets and health food stores. The following recipe for besan flour is from Wikipedia, a wonderful source of gluten-free flour information, as is the Celiac Sprue Association.

How to make Besan Flour at home:

1. Take pre-cooked chickpeas, rinse thoroughly and drain.
2. Spread evenly across an un-greased baking tray and cook on medium heat for 2–3 hours then turn off oven and leave overnight to cool.

3. Place into a mortar and pestle and grind to a fine consistency.
There are other recipes available on Illawarra Gluten Free and available online. I suggest you start by printing out a list of gluten-free flours and working from there.

What are some of the most well-known varieties of Gluten-free flours?

There are many types of flours that are naturally gluten-free. Some are nut based, others plant or seed based.
Almond meal *
Amaranth flour
Arrowroot flour *
Artichoke flour
Besan (chickpea) flour *
Brown rice flour
Buckwheat flour
Channah (type of chickpea) flour
Coconut Flour (finely ground coconut meat)
Corn flour *
Corn meal *
Cottonseed flour
Dahl or Dal flour (Indian split peas or beans ground as flour)
Flaxseed meal (also known as liniseed meal) *
Garbanzo meal (chickpea aka besan and gram)
Lentil flour
Maize (Corn) *
Millet flour
Nut meal
Peanut flour
Quinoa flour
Semolina flour*
Sunflower seed flour
Items with a * are available at most Woolworth stores. Others can be found at Health Food Stores and online.
If you do want to eat out at restaurants and cafes that cater to gluten-free diets pay a visit to the Gluten Free Eating Directory of Australia I have also discovered Green Poppy in Shellharbour has a wide range of gluten-free products and been introduced to Lee & Me in Wollongong Mall by a friend, making my trips into Wollongong more enjoyable. The Educated Palate in Wollongong also offers gluten-free cakes and products. The biggest find has been the Go-Vita Superstore in Shellharbour Medical Center which stocks a wide range of gluten free breads, flours, pies, pastries and ready-made meals. With the help of Woolworths, Go-Vita and The Green Poppy my search for gluten-free products has been made so much easier.

As you can see the reduction of Gluten from my diet has been a positive experience. If you still believe that Gluten-free means flavour-free take a look at a sample gourmet gluten-free banquet.

MENU
(from A Gourmet Gluten-Free Dining Experience)


GF = Gluten Free
DF = Dairy Free
V = Vegetarian

BREADS
Cornbread: Cornflour, Yellow Polenta, Salt, Gluten-free self-raising flour, butter, agave syrup, buttermilk) GF DF
Tortilla: Corn tortillas, some lightly toasted for dipping in Guacamole

ENTREES
Guacamole (Avocado, lemon juice, garlic, salt, gluten-free home made tortilla chips) GF DF
Goats cheese & lyonnaise tart with beetroot, hazelnuts & baby endives GF

MAINS
Spinach and ricotta gnocchi with choice of sage butter or homemade tomato sauce GF V
Mussells marinara in a spicy marinara sauce (mussells with tomato, spices, herbs, grapeseed oil) GF DF
Surf and Turf - Scotch Fillet topped with Garlic prawns (GARLIC PRAWNS: Prawns, Garlic, Coconut Oil, Salt) GF DF

DESSERT
Ricotta cheesecake with Passionfruit couli (gluten free biscuit base, ricotta cheese, agave syrup, passionfruit pulp) GF
Fruit salad (Kiwi fruit, lychees, longan, pineapple, mango)
Gluten free chocolate biscotti

Each menu item is gluten free and offers a vegan-friendly entree or main. It also includes a few dairy-free items for those who are intolerant or sensitive to dairy or lactose.

I have chosen a range of mains (dairy, seafood, meat) so that there is a choice and the colours will look great in photos. Picture the green of the spinach in the spinachand ricotta gnocchi complemented by the red of the homemade tomato sauce. The lush green of the guacamole and the cute and pretty lyonnaise tarts with cubes of roasted beetroot and justo decorate the plate. For the meat eaters, a healthy portion of steak with prawns on top. And to finish the evening some delicious and colourful desserts destined to please and convert anyone who held beliefs that gluten free means a lack of flavour :)


I hope that providing a hub of Gluten-Free information tailored to the Illawarra will be of benefit to others in similar situation. If you know of a gluten free product, company, restaurant or cafe please leave a comment and I will add it to the site.

References:

  1. Gluten Sensitivity by Wikipedia
    URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten_sensitivity
  2. Gluten-Fre Diet
    URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten-free
  3. Celiac disease by Wikipedia
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celiac_disease
  4. List of Gluten Free Flours by Illawarra Gluten Free
    URL: http://illawarraglutenfree.blogspot.com/2009/07/gluten-free-flours.html
  5. Besan / Gram flour by Wikipedia
    URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gram_flour
  6. Gluten-Free Diet by Wikipedia
    URL: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gluten-free
  7. Gluten Free Eating Directory of Australia
    URL: http://www.glutenfreeeatingdirectory.com.au/
Shopping

  1. The Green Poppy, Shellharbour
    Shop 2/8 Addison St
    Shellharbour, NSW 2529
    Phone: (02) 4295 1234
    http://www.greenpoppy.com.au/

  2. Go-Vita Superstore Shellharbour
  3. Unit 15 / 75 Cygnet Avenue, Shellharbour City Centre, NSW 2529 p: (02) 4297 4916 f: (02) 4297 4920 http://www.govita.com.au

  4. Woolworths
  5. Coles
  6. Happy Bellies Food Co-Op at University of Wollongong

Gluten Free Cornbread

A few weeks ago I made some amazing cornbread with some yellow polenta I purchased from an Italian Delicatessan & Cafe in Warrawong, NSW. The bread was so light and fluffy that we went through two loafs in no time. It is delicious hot or cold and the older the loaf got the more tasty it was, the texture changing to a crusty bread with a really unusual texture from the polenta flour in the mixture. This recipe makes two loaf pans and it freezes well.

1 cup gluten free flour (I used white maize meal but you could use one of a number of gluten-free flours listed)
1 cup yellow polenta
1/4c sugar or alternative (the first time I used raw sugar and the second I used agave syrup which has lower GI and tastes great)
2tsp cream of tartar
1tsp baking soda
1tsp cornflour
3/4tsp salt
1/4cup butter (or coconut oil)

2 eggs (or Orgran Egg Substitute)
1 cup buttermilk (or rice milk for dairy-free)


Combine and fill two loaf pans and bake @ 220oC for 25 min


Other variations found on the web include:

Green Chilli Cornbread Recipe
Chilli & Cheese Cornbread (with Polenta) Recipe



Note: To make this recipe gluten free it is important to use baking soda, cream of tartar and cornflour rather than baking powder.
Read more information below

How to make homemade gluten free baking powder

http://www.blisstree.com/bakingdelights/how-to-make-homemade-gluten-free-baking-powder/

Different between baking soda and baking powder

http://chemistry.about.com/cs/foodchemistry/f/blbaking.htm

Friday, August 21, 2009

Illawarra Gluten Free - Dining out - Lee and Me


Vanessa Pike-Russell Photography

I have been hearing rave reviews about Lee and Me Cafe in Lower Crown St. Mall and today I finally got the chance to visit. It is located in the building that also houses Educated Palate which has downsized, now located on Townhall Place with the entry to Lee and Me on Crown Street opposite The Glasshouse Tavern.

I had just finished a photoshoot and was in need of a sugar fix to recharge the batteries when I arrived at Lee and Me. I made my way to the gluten-free baked goods I had been hearing about. After a few moments I settled on a flourless Lindt chocolate cake with a tantalising crust giving way to a mousse texture to one amazing cake. Such a sinfully delicious taste with a dollop of cream and with a refreshing Iced Coffee for that afternoon pick-me-up.

Illawarra Food Reviews: Lee and Me - Flourless Lindt Chocolate Cake by you.

The Iced Coffee was amazing! I was very impressed when I could taste the distinctive flavour of the espresso shot ofcoffee. Most Iced Coffees I have tried are fairly bland. I find that the ice cream and sugar often overpowers the coffee flavour. Not at Lee and Me. The Campos Coffee they use has a very nice flavour and was perfectly matched with the white chocolate icecream which helped to cool me down on a warm Autumn day. I know that I will enjoy a Cappuccino on my next visit.


It was great to sit and unwind with some amazing cake and enjoy some easy listening music and watch the people walking by. It was my first visit but I am certain to be back again soon. I also discovered that they offer Gluten-Free bread alternatives for sandwhiches and rolls. They have an amazing breakfast menu and lunch menu, both which feature some of my favourite foods including slow roasted pork belly, ricotta, chipolatas and the breakfast menu runs until the store closes at 5pm. Perfect for those who like a late breakfast like I do.


Lee and Me,
Cafe, Fashion and Lifestyle
75 Crown St Wollongong
NSW 2500 Australia

Please ask the staff if you have dietary requirements and they will do their best to accommodate your needs. 10% surcharge on public holidays. No smoking. BYO wine only with corkage at $2.50 per person. Cakeage $1.0 per person. There is a toilet upstairs in the boutique which carries the latest fashions including the very popular Nudie jeans.

Make sure to check their blog for special offers and new products. If you are an artist Lee and Me are offering $250 in summer threads, looking for the best photos to launch their look for summer10. For more information visit their blog entry dated August 18th, 2009 for details.

Lee and Me
Cafe, Fashion and Lifestyle

opening hours - weekdays 7am - 5pm
weekends 8am - 4pm

87 Crown Street Wollongong 2500

phone: 02 42440695
email: leeandme[at]optusnet.com.au

www.leeandme.com.au/

Thursday, August 13, 2009

A Gourmet Gluten-Free dining experience

Do the words 'Gluten-free' mean 'flavour free' to you? With a little research and some creative substitutions you can make any meal into a delicious gluten-free version. As the list of gluten-free flours grow it is getting easier to cook our favourite meals without a loss of flavour or texture. I am excited by the use of coconut flour (made from finely ground coconut meat) and coconut oil for shortbreads and other biscuits but also in pastries and pie crusts. Rather than feeling saddened by the need to restrict gluten in my diet I am excited by the alternatives that are out there and look upon this as a way of widening my ingredients list and exploring some of the long established gluten-free alternatives used in cuisines around the world.

MENU


GF = Gluten Free
DF = Dairy Free
V = Vegetarian

BREAD
Cornbread: Cornflour, Yellow Polenta, Salt, Gluten-free self-raising flour, butter, agave syrup, buttermilk) GF DF
Tortilla: Corn tortillas, some lightly toasted for dipping in Guacamole

ENTREES
Guacamole (Avocado, lemon juice, garlic, salt, gluten-free home made tortilla chips) GF DF
Goats cheese & lyonnaise tart with beetroot, hazelnuts & baby endives GF

MAINS
Spinach and ricotta gnocchi with choice of sage butter or homemade tomato sauce GF V
Mussells marinara in a spicy marinara sauce (mussells with tomato, spices, herbs, grapeseed oil) GF DF
Surf and Turf - Scotch Fillet topped with Garlic prawns (GARLIC PRAWNS: Prawns, Garlic, Coconut Oil, Salt) GF DF

DESSERT
Ricotta cheesecake with Passionfruit couli (gluten free biscuit base, ricotta cheese, agave syrup, passionfruit pulp) GF
Fruit salad (Kiwi fruit, lychees, longan, pineapple, mango)
Gluten free chocolate biscotti

Each menu item is gluten free and offers a vegan-friendly entree or main. It also includes a few dairy-free items for those who are intolerant or sensitive to dairy or lactose.

I have chosen a range of mains (dairy, seafood, meat) so that there is a choice and the colours will look great in photos. Picture the green of the spinach in the spinachand ricotta gnocchi complemented by the red of the homemade tomato sauce. The lush green of the guacamole and the cute and pretty lyonnaise tarts with cubes of roasted beetroot and justo decorate the plate. For the meat eaters, a healthy portion of steak with prawns on top. And to finish the evening some delicious and colourful desserts destined to please and convert anyone who held beliefs that gluten free means a lack of flavour :)

Wednesday, August 05, 2009

Gluten Free Product Outlets in Illawarra

SHELLHARBOUR CITY:

GoVita Superstore

Sells: Gluten free products, frozen foods and wide range of gluten free and wheat free products including some of the Empower Foods range

Address: Unit 15 / 75 Cygnet Avenue,
Shellharbour City Centre, NSW 2529

p: (02) 4297 4916 f: (02) 4297 4920
e: herbactive@ispdr.net.au
w:
http://www.govita.com.au


Green Poppy
Sells: A wide range of gluten free food and mixes

Address: 2/8 Addison St
Shellharbour NSW 2529
p: (02) 4295 1234
e: green_poppy@bigpond.com
w: http://www.greenpoppy.com.au


WOLLONGONG CITY:

Elementary Organics

Sells: Organic Fruit & Vegetables, Organic Groceries
Address: Unit 2 47 Crown St Wollongong NSW 2500
p: (02) 4226 6300
Website: None listed - Google search

House of Hope Food Barn
Sells: Wide range of gluten-free breads, biscuits and products as well as free fruit and vegetables for people with low income or on a pension. Gluten free bread, biscuits, cakes etc.
Address: Shellharbour & Northcliffe Drive Warrawong, NSW 2502
p: 02 4274 3837 e: admin@hoh.net.au
w: http://hoh.net.au


Manic Organic Wholes Foods
Sells: Organic whole foods
Address: 409 Princes Highway
Woonoona NSW 2517
p: 02 42859875


Gluten Free Eating Directory of Australia


After my previous efforts to find Gluten Free items I am happy to share that there is a directory of Gluten Free Eating in Australia.

Welcome to the Gluten Free Eating Directory … a comprehensive gluten free guide dedicated to making gluten free eating easier across Australia! Our established free-to-use website provides detailed information about restaurants, cafes, takeaways, shopping outlets, products, manufacturers, gluten free online shops, services, publications and ‘eat’n’stay’ options that cater for gluten free diets. So if you have coeliac disease, gluten intolerance, dermatitis herpetiformis, or just prefer not to eat gluten, this site is for you.

http://www.glutenfreeeatingdirectory.com.au/online_shopping.php

Unfortunately there are no Illawarra restaurants or cafes added to the NSW map search but I hope that we can change that. If you have seen the words 'gluten free' on a menu near you, please let me know or contact the Gluten Free Directory directly. Many hands make light work and here's hoping the Illawarra restaurants and cafes will make it easier to find gluten free eats!

After a little research (and some help from @sejtraav ) I can confirm some gluten free action at Lee and Me in Crown St, Wollongong and at Beachouse Restaurant, Wollongong harbour. More to be added to http://illawarraglutenfree.blogspot.com


Gluten Free Eating Directory
For all enquiries, including feedback about our site, please contact:
Email: enquiries@glutenfreeeatingdirectory.com.au
Phone: (03) 5443 7777
Mobile: 0400 558 741

Update: I just heard from the lovely people from Gluten Free Eating Directory and there are two businesses listed in the south coast area

Feast of Kangaroo Valley Image

Gluten Free Options
 Range of gluten free food hamper bags
 Convenient, easy and deluxe gluten free catering option

http://www.glutenfreeeatingdirectory.com.au/view.php?business=335





Berihurikari Image
Available From
 Orders can be placed directly with Berihurikari (see contact details above). Curry choices and prices are available on the Berihurikari website (click link on this page)
 Deliveries are made to NSW Central Coast, Blue Mountains and Sydney suburbs. See website for details or contact Berihurikari direct
 Berry Markets (1st Sunday of the month)
 Kiama Produce Market (4th Saturday of the month)
 Bowral Produce Market (2nd Saturday of the month)
 Wollongong Mall Markets at Crown Central (every Friday)
 Major events at Homebush stadium (from the food vendor area outside the stadium)
 Various retail outlets including Manuka Fine Food Store (Canberra), Green Poppy (Shellharbour), Jamberoo General Store (Jamberoo), Kangaroo Valley Supermarket (Kangaroo Valley), Mangerton Convenience Store (Mangerton), Keiraville Fine Cuisine (Wollongong), Emporium (Berry)

More information:
http://www.glutenfreeeatingdirectory.com.au/view_manufacturer.php?business=76


--
Update: GFED now lists several Illawarra, South Coast and Sydney dining venues as well as products, manufacturers, online shops and publications. If you know of any great gluten-free dining restaurants, cafes or products please let them know and that company will be invited to be a member of the site. Recent additions include:



Tuesday, August 04, 2009

Empower low carb and gluten free products

This weekend past I had the pleasure of trying the Empower Triple Choc Muffins that our friend Michael brought over for me to make with his daughter Siobhan who just loves baking and being helpful. When the muffins were cooking everyone was looking forward to sampling them, the aroma so heavenly we chanced burning our fingers to have a taste just moments from the oven. Delicious!

Triple-Choc-NIP.jpg

Today I decided to visit the website on the box ( http://www.empowerfoods.com.au ) and found a vast array of low carb and gluten free foods which I can see will be firm favourites.

FibreX Breakfast Cereal

Now there's more to a low carb breakfast than just bacon and eggs..

Gluten Free Muffin Magic Mix

What’s so magical about Empower’s Muffin Magic Gluten Free Muffin Mix? In a word… VARIETY!

Gluten Free Triple Choc Muffin Mix

Finally, a rich, moist and truly decadent gluten free chocolate muffin the whole family can enjoy...

Gluten Free Chocolate Mud Cake Mix

Empower’s super indulgent gluten free chocolate mud cake is so amazingly rich and moist you won’t believe it is gluten free.

Almond Innocence Cookie Mix

Your guilt free snack between meals…

Chocolate Rush Muffin Mix

For a lo-carb snack on the run…

LC Tomato Sauce

A rich, home-style flavoured tomato sauce...without all the added sugar!

LC Sweet & Sour Sauce

For those of us that crave something a little sweeter, LC Sweet & Sour Sauce is the perfect choice.

LC Satay Sauce

LC Satay Sauce adds a rich peanut flavour to all your favourite recipes.

Premium Creamy Dark Chocolate

A deliciously rich and creamy dark chocolate - high in antioxidants and sugar-free!


Premium Creamy Milk Chocolate

A beautifully creamy, Belgium-style chocolate that just melts in your mouth. Now that really is low carb living made TASTY!

Golden Wholemeal Lo-Carb Bakery Mix

Who says you can't eat BREAD and PIZZA on a low carb diet?

Gluten Free Wraps

Ask anyone on a gluten free diet what they miss the most, and chances are they will say “convenience...”

They also provide a mail order service and postage is free on orders over $50.

Empower Foods
ABN 77 096 558 235

  • 65 Industrial Drive
    Braeside Vic 3195, Vic 3195
  • ph: (03) 9588 0311
  • fax: (03) 9588 0821

  • Email us

Welcome to Illawarra Gluten Free

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Illawarra Gluten Free Map

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