Changes

There have been a couple notable changes lately that I thought deserved a mention.

I'm sad to report that Ina's has suspended its dinner service -- including the gluten-free fried chicken nights -- indefinitely. We truly enjoyed that special evening every month, and while I do understand that the economy has everyone rethinking how to best approach business, I certainly hope that Ina'a chooses to reinstate the gluten-free evening very, very soon. It will be missed.

Also I recently found out that Townhouse Cafe, my favorite lunch spot, has changed its soup base; the new stock is not gluten-free, and so the wonderful soups served there that I mentioned in an earlier entry are no longer suitable for those on a gluten-restricted diet.

On a positive note, the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) has ruled that Air Canada must supply a safe buffer zone for passengers with peanut and nut allergies. People seated within this zone would be asked to refrain from eating peanuts, nuts and any derivative products. The airline is to file a plan on how to implement the mandate, including a proposal for how large the buffer zone should be and how far in advance allergic passengers should give notice. While the buffer zone doesn't apply to other allergens, the fact that the decision was made at all is an indication that allergy awareness is growing, and I commend the CTA for recognizing the issue and doing something about it. It's a start.

Great Bakery

I hope everyone enjoyed the holidays, and has a wonderful New Year! We have just returned from our holiday trip out west. I was fortunate to have two holiday trips in 2009 – one south for Thanksgiving, one west for Christmas – and I’m still unpacking and processing. 2010 is off to a good start; I’m very much looking forward to this year and all it will bring, including new discoveries.

One recent discovery is the Twisted Bakery, a gluten-free operation located in Dickinson, N.D. A family friend first made us aware of it and sent us some items. Are we glad she did!



I’ve sampled a couple of the bakery’s products now and wholeheartedly recommend it. The Gluten Free White Bread & Bun Mix literally is the best of any I have tried to date. The mix is easy to use, and the resulting bread not only has a good flavor and texture, it doesn’t need to be toasted. At all. I finally have enjoyed a good sandwich again.

Also, for those who are gluten-free and have missed family favorites like dumplings, wait no longer: The bakery offers a Gluten Free Noodle/Dumpling Mix. We used the mix to make dumplings for soup – they were excellent. When eating the soup, it was as if I had returned to my childhood.

There are a number of its other products I’m planning to try as well. The Twisted Bakery does ship, and also is stocked in some retailers. Be sure to check out its website for additional information.