Term papers!

It's almost the weekend and you know what means?  Pizza time! However, if you're on gluten free diet or suspect you have a wheat or gluten intolerance, you know that having even just one slice will result in some undesirable symptoms.  

Partaking in the family food fun is literally no fun when you're in this predicament.  "I'll have a salad" just doesn't cut it especially when it comes to your taste buds!  While there are a handful (or maybe more) of gluten free pizzas now available, it's not the same as going to your local pizza joint and having a hot slice right out of the brick oven.  

Look no further….

A few weekends ago, I was driving by Toozy Patza Pizza in Wilton, CT and saw their large sign outside for gluten free pizza.  This caught my attention so I decided to step inside and place my order.

In partnership with Still Riding Pizza, Toozy and many other pizza joints throughout the country offer a, "delicious, authentic, New York style par-baked crust that is entirely gluten free."  And, If you're neighborhood spot isn't listed, you can request them to be added.

I can attest.  This pizza tastes like the REAL deal but without the gluten or wheat!   Instead this pizza crust contains bean, rice and tapioca flours, starch, xanthum gum, salt, yeast, egg, cider vinegar, sugar, canola oil, and calcium propionate.  Be forewarned, you might eat 1/2 the pie in just one sitting!  Sure, it's not going to be identical to the regular pies that you might have grown up with but, it comes pretty darn close.

The best part is, you can order the crusts to have at home too.  This is perfect if you have kids that are gluten-free and want to get them involved in the kitchen by helping create their own pizza masterpiece.

Here's a great video on this fabulous pizza:

Give this pizza a try if you are gluten-free or just feel like being daring.  I'd love to hear how your taste buds react!

In Health,

Alison Held, M.S.
Clinical Nutritionist

If you're a foodie residing in either Connecticut or New York City, you'll absolutely L-O-V-E what's in store!  Fresh, local, sustainable foods are abound from September 26 through October 11, 2010 as chefs include local flavors in their deliciously prepared meals. 

In Connecticut, 85+ food establishments will take part in this first-ever Farm-To-Chef Celebration Week through October 6th (note: the NYC event goes through October 11th).  The 'golden rule' for this week is that each participating venue must include at least four items on the menu that showcase CT grown ingredients.  Truly this is a celebration of our local farmers who produce some of the best foods on Earth!

While I am not a vegetarian, one of my favorite local restaurants is purely plant based.   Bloodroot Vegetarian Restaurant, located in Bridgeport, is now celebrating their 33rd year (WOW!) and will feature several different cheeses from area farms as well as local potatoes, eggplant, and apples.  

My pals Glen Collelo and Lisa Storch of Catch A Healthy Habit in Fairfield are always using the fresh, local and seasonal ingredients in their raw food preparation.  As usual, they'll be serving up their mouth watering shakes and I bet their 'Boston Lettuce Salad' which features local beets from Fort Hill Farm, cashew "cheese", candied pecans, and a honey mustard dressing will be a hit!  Oh, and don't leave without dessert….Apple Pie Ice Cream!

If you're not as adventurous, go ahead and download this 64-page PDF which will introduce you to all the menus being offered and start planning out your week!  I was impressed to see that Fairfield University is even getting involved with an extensive local menu through Dining Services.  

New York City residents are now celebrating their 2nd annual Eat, Drink Local Week and this will go on for a full 11 days.  Theirs is a bit different as they are focused on getting to know the local farmers, markets, and artisan food makers.  

They've got a lot up their sleeves including: special locavore (that's someone who eats only foods within a certain radius of where they live) meals and deals; ingredients of the day; a vegetable and wine auction at Sotheby's Auction House and Wolffer Estate Vineyards respectively; a food film fest; an edible gardens exhibit at the New York Botanical Gardens; and so much more! 

The Edible Guide , resource for this celebration, will  point you in the right direction in terms of where to eat out.  And, if you'd rather just partake in some of the fun special events that I mentioned above, take a look at the full list and mark your calendar as it's going to be a jam-packed few weeks for food, food, food!

I love being introduced to new and good restaurants so please share your finds whether you decide to journey through the rolling hills of Connecticut or trek along the pavement in New York City in search of quality ingredients and fare.  Happy Healthy Eating!

In Health,

Alison Held, M.S.
Clinical Nutritionist