Far from standard yellow or Dijon, each mustard in the City of Roses line incorporates a wine or spirit: Gran Marnier, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Mazama Infused Pepper Vodka. The mustards are made in Oregon, and staying true to its roots, the company uses wine and vodka made in the state.

Our samples arrived just before St. Patrick’s Day, so it seemed fitting to try them out on corned beef and cabbage. My aunts and uncles even got involved in the taste test.

Overall, the Pinot Noir flavor paired best with the corned beef. It was sweet, with just a touch of pucker from the wine. The Pepper Vodka flavor was a close second, with a slight kick that I enjoyed, but my uncle found too intense. The Pinot Gris mustard was sweeter than the Pinot Noir, and the Gran Marnier was the sweetest of all. While the two sweeter varieties didn’t pair as well with the corned beef, they would be excellent in a Waldorf salad or with turkey and dried cranberries in a lettuce wrap.

I noticed that the mustards have a texture close to mayonnaise or Hollandaise sauce. Sure enough, eggs are the first ingredient. The eggs help the mustards stay creamy and thick, which makes them ideal for potato or egg salad. That also means you’ll need a knife or small spoon in order to scoop and spread the mustard (no squeeze bottles here).

I don’t think we’ll see City of Roses Creamy Gourmet Mustards at a hotdog stand anytime soon, but I do think these would be a nice addition to liven up everyday meals. Better yet, add it to a basket with gluten-free crackers and wine for a special celiac-friendly gift.

To order City of Roses Mustards or find a retailer near you, visit www.rosecitydelicacies.com.

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You may have read about GFree Connect in NFCA’s July e-newsletter, but in the spirit of back-to-school season, I’m giving them another shout out.

The company ships quarterly care packages filled with gluten-free samples and coupons, from nutrition drinks to crackers. Their August 2011 package was just unveiled and is now ready for shipment.

As someone who graduated college not too long ago, I remember how excited I was to get a special delivery in the mail. And when that delivery included snacks that I could stash in my dorm, even better. Now that product reviewing is part of my job description, I’ve merely solidified my love for all foods portable and sample-sized. My coworkers are happy to assist when tasting new gluten-free products, and even my friends who aren’t gluten-free get excited when I bring home a new bag of gluten-free chips or bread mix to try.

GFree Connect has tapped into that interest. Ultimately, the packages are like giant, gluten-free goodie bags. There’s a little taste of everything, and each delivery is different. The packages also strike a nice balance between snacks you can immediately tear into and coupons you can save for later. With food prices on the rise, those discounts can cut down the sticker shock we’ve all been experiencing at the grocery store.

The introductory price is $19.99 for a package valued at $120 (See what’s in the August Care Pack.) GFree Connect is also extending its donation campaign for NFCA. Reference NFCA Newsletter when checking out and 10% of your order will be donated to NFCA’s gluten-free initiatives. To order, visit www.GFreeConnect.com.

If you have a gluten-free college kid, this is a tasty and tasteful way to say “Thinking of You.” If there are no college campuses on the horizon, then treat yourself to a package. You might just find a new favorite.

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• Cara: I celebrate by not letting the diet control my life, but just recognize all the foods that I can eat and enjoy them!
• Janelle Shepherd: Pick me for the gluten freebies!!! I would LOVE to try these…
• Angela DeBerry: Each day that I wake, I am celebrating a healthy, gluten-free lifestyle. Celebrating an end to physical pain, confusion, fatigue, money & time spent on useless doctor visits and & to all of the medications to treat illnesses I didn’t even have...
• tina: I celebrate being GF everyday by eating gf chocolate! My favorite food is gluten free anyway, what luck!
• Cori: I have recently started following a gluten-free diet as I am tired of living with the symptoms of IBS and being labeled in such a broad category...

Please email cmcevoy@celiaccentral.org to claim your free bags of Baked Nut Chips. Then fuel up for a healthy, gluten-free day!]

The 4^th of July is quickly approaching, and whether it’s your first gluten-free holiday or your 30^th year of independence from gluten, NFCA and Blue Diamond want to help you celebrate with free stuff.

Printable Guides

NFCA created two new gluten-free Printable Guides, perfect for the summer season. These guides are sponsored by Blue Diamond and can be found along with gluten-free recipes in NFCA’s Blue Diamond Recipe Box, as well as on NFCA’s Printable Guides page.

• 4^th of July Fun: Party-planning tips for a gluten-free Independence Day bash, from décor to dips. Get the guide.
• Summer Health & Fitness: Get moving with these suggestions for indoor and outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy. Get the guide.

Webinar

To continue the fitness theme, Blue Diamond is co-sponsoring a Webinar with Cabot Creamery about “Nutrition & Training for the Gluten-Free Athlete.” The Webinar will take place TODAY, June 29, at 1 p.m. ET. Best of all, it’s free! Register now»

If you miss the Webinar, don’t fret. A recording of the Webinar will be posted in NFCA’s Webinar Archives a few days after the live event.

Giveaways

Snacktime is that much better when it’s free. Last month, I shared my thoughts on Blue Diamond’s new Baked Nut Chips. In short, they’re really tasty and the ideal shape for dipping.

Now, Blue Diamond wants you to give them a try. We already gave away free Baked Nut Chips to 5 winners who follow our staff blog, Celiac Central: Bits & Bites. Today, we’re giving away Baked Nut Chips to 5 more winners, right here. Winners will be randomly selected, and will receive a bag of each flavor of Blue Diamond Baked Nut Chips (that’s 3 bags per winner!).

To enter, simply write a comment below telling us how you celebrate a healthy, gluten-free lifestyle every day.

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Cooqi Gluten-Free Delights

If you find your self near the St. Paul, MN area and are craving a delicious and nutritious gluten-free fresh baked treat then stop intoCooqi Gluten-Free Delights . Located on the St. Paul and Minneapolis borders, they serve the greater Twin Cities Metro area of Minnesota fresh baked, gluten-free goodness. At Cooqi’s you will find breads, brownies, cakes, cookies, donuts, and more. All the products you find here are guaranteed to be baked fresh on site with out any refined sugars, trans fats, preservatives, added peanuts, or wheat and gluten.

Cooqi Gluten-Free Delights

Judy Malmon is the creator of Cooqi Gluten-Free Delights. She has worked hard to make gluten-free counter parts of most of the treats that many people think they have to live with out once diagnosed with a gluten intolerance. Her motivation to do this came after her daughter started having allergic reactions to gluten and dairy. Shortly after that she and other members of her family also were sensitive to gluten. The result of her experience is awesome baked goods made by someone who not only knows but also cares. Stop by Cooqi and try out some of these fantastic treats or visit www.cooqiglutenfree.com to learn more.

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