Smiles Made From Scratch

Holiday Food Sampling

Mary Ardapple — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 23:08:17 +0000

Holiday Food Sampling Gluten Free Grocery 2009

Last Saturday, Becky and I loaded the “big ride” filled with delicious gluten free and dairy free Holiday pies for a wonderful Holiday sampling at the Gluten Free Grocery(http://gfgrocery.com/) in Westchester, IL. We had a blast! Meet Cindy Erwin, proprietor, of the Gluten Free Grocery. She has a really cool shop and wonderful customers. Apple’s Bakery is so proud to be a Holiday partner with Cindy and her customers. Several have pre-ordered Holiday desserts. Thank you to all for the supportive comments for our work in the gluten free community. We wish you the safest and most enjoyable Thanksgiving with family and friends.

Mary and Becky

Sharing a cookie on the road!

Mary Ardapple — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:09:57 +0000

Mary -

While at the small food manufacturer’s conference (http://www.fpc.unl.edu/nsfmc/) in Lincoln, Nebraska, you were kind enough to give me samples of two of your gluten free cookies. I just wanted to say thank you, and that they were absolutely delicious! I’m relatively new to being gluten free, and needless to say up to this point hadn’t been impressed with the few cookies and snacks I’d sampled. The first I tried was the Old-Fashioned molasses, and I was in awe. Thank you so much for sharing those with me, I’ll be making a trip to your website soon to see the other varieties you have as well.

Jennifer

Warmth of the Table

Mary Ardapple — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:28:07 +0000

When I first started dining at “the man’s” in the winter. He started a tradition of always eating dinner by candelight. Which I find delightful…

Something about that slows the pace and makes the meal more intimate. As if you are some how transported from your home to some where else. Often we only use candles on holidays. But why not live it up! Try it and slow down your week…relax breathe and enjoy! Make a special night to just relax and enjoy the meal. If you set the table the night before chances are as you see it before you go to work you will think…ahhh tonight we are having a candle lit dinner. Even if it is take out or an elegant meal stop and savor, unplug the phone, turn off the blackberry and the television. Enjoy and be in the moment….

Estelle

Simple Pleasures

Mary Ardapple — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:27:09 +0000

Recently I decided to use some of the many sets of linen I inherited as part of our daily meals. I was tired of paper towels and paper napkins.

So I went through the many sets and decided on the ones we would use….a light pale green with a morning glory flower embossed on them. When I first laid them the lunch table…” the man” said what are these? I said linen we are no longer using paper. “Nice” he said…we talked about the design. We now use them every day…sometimes we save things for ” special occasions” or “best” or “company” well every day is a special occasion if you choose to make it one. Every meal can be a “special occasion” as human nature to responds to beauty. Ask yourself what can you do to make this week’s meals a bit more special, elegant or relaxed. Food and a beautiful table is best shared…even if you are sharing that beauty with yourself!

Estelle

Welcome The Green Grocer

Mary Ardapple — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:42:04 +0000

The Green Grocer Chicago, features organic and locally produced foods, as well as some unique specialty items. They have gathered the most delicious, healthiest and indulgent foods possible! In keeping with this philosophy they have added Apple’s Bakery Gluten Free Cookies to their store.

On May, 23rd Estelle did a sampling and found customer response was great. Now, sampling our cookies is a joyful thing for my friend, Estelle. Her face simply glows with a smile while watching the face of another discover the joy in taste and texture which is found in the Apple’s Bakery Gluten Free Cookie. Many customers were excited that the cookies were Gluten Free and eager to discover the delectable flavors found in our cookies.

Comments ranged from to:

Wow… Gluten Free really? These are great!!!

My husband would love these he is on the diet…But I love them too!

If you live in Chicago or just passing through stop by Green Grocer and take home a treat for you, your friends and family. Or if you would like a favorite store in your neighborhood to stock our fabulously delicious gluten free cookies on their shelves, send us an email for samples and information to be sent.

Green Grocer Chicago

1402 W. Grand Ave

Chicago, IL 60642

www.greengrocerchicago.com312-624-9508

Wishing you a beautiful day1 Mary

Dating with Allergies and Intolerance’s:

Mary Ardapple — Fri, 08 May 2009 21:05:20 +0000

You have a date! Yikes it is for dinner at a restaurant you have not eaten at before. Do you tell your date that you have allergies or intolerance’s before the date? What if you get there and the staff is clueless as to what you can eat? You don’t want to appear to be some sort of high maintaince nightmare…LOL

Well having done this I have some simple ways to make it easier for all parties involved. Ask your date the name of the restaurant and what they enjoy about it. This gives you the name and some of what they serve in advance! Then I look them up on line. Read the menu thoroughly. Call the Chef and let them know I AM ON A DATE and do not want this made into an ordeal…

This saves a great deal of stress on me as I know 2-3 things I can eat so I can focus on the date! The Chef knows that I am there and is aware. My date does NOT have to feel awkward for picking a restaurant.

So next I was asked when do you tell your date you have food sensitivities or intolerance’s? Hummm….Good question. If I have just met them I will wait until the 2nd or 3rd date. This way they can see that I have a good grip on my situation. Which keeps us both at ease. Then from the 3rd date on they are either aware and supportive if not then I will no longer dating them…LOL.

With the tremendous awareness of allergies and intolerance’s now in the news, schools and dining establishments are prepared to assist you in some way. Below is a list of Chicago restaurant’s that have Gluten Free menus.

The Wildfire Restaurants present six opportunities for dining in Chicago and a few more elsewhere. Click here to see their gluten free menu posted on line.

The Adobo grill offers two restaurants, one in “old town” and the other in Wicker Park. Both restaurants post gluten free menus on-line. Both menus include the location of the restaurant.

Bottom line is to get out and enjoy the company of others during this fabulous time of year and enjoy the frivolity!

Let us know of any restuarants you would like us to feature in the future. Estelle and I love to sample our way through life because it really is all about food, friends, and laughter! Enjoy!

Celiac Disease Center Benefit

Mary Ardapple — Mon, 04 May 2009 20:38:31 +0000

The University of Chicago’s Celiac Disease Center is hosting its annual gluten-free benefit, Gourmet Gluten Free Galaxy this Wednesday, May 6. The evening features gluten-free delicacies from over 20 of the nation’s top chefs and restaurants, a live and silent auction, and a raffle.

Proceeds benefit the Celiac Disease Center, a non-profit organization devoted to raising awareness about celiac disease and offering support to those diagnosed with the disease. The center sponsors free celiac screenings in the fall each year. For more information, visit the center’s website at https://celiacdisease.net/ or see my previous post.

Farmers Market Season Begins!

Mary Ardapple — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 20:47:26 +0000

This weekend marks the beginning of Farmers Market season! Markets all over Illinois will be open to the public and ripe with local fruits, veggies, baked goods, and other wares. Farmers markets are a great way to connect with local growers and businesses, as well as individuals in the community.

Here’s are two of Peoria’s own farmers markets:

Peoria Farmers Market at Metro Centre (opening tomorrow!)
4700 N University St
Open May 1 to October 31, 2009
Monday-Saturday, 8:00 am - 02:00 pm
Peoria’s RiverFront Market
Liberty Park
Open June to September
Saturdays, 8:00 am - Noon

Countless other farmers markets are in the surrounding cities and counties. Chicago, alone, has over 100 farmers markets! For a handy directory, visit the Farm Direct website.

Spring Holidays and Celiac Disease

Mary Ardapple — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 14:40:44 +0000

Spring holidays are all about renewal and growth. As a Celiac, I think about this from several aspects: from the initial allergies of spring to the “Do I have enough gluten-free flour on hand to make a cake or another spring treat?” Eggs are always a good gluten-free food and meringues are also gluten-free (as well as tasty when served with berries). Then there are other traditional dishes that, as of yet, have no GF equivalent. Matzoh for one (the unleavened bread traditionally served at the Jewish holiday Passover). So I have found another cracker that works and have adapted it.

But it seems that some traditional spring holiday foods cannot be adapted. They just seem to need gluten! However, what I can adapt is my perspective and my imagination…so I will adapt, improvise, and overcome this issue! So far so good. Maybe I will make some hot Cross buns with currants…tasty. And those chocolate Easter bunnies are always safe!

-Estelle

Thrive Allergy & Gluten-Free Expo a Success!

Mary Ardapple — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 18:14:13 +0000

We had a great time at the Thrive Allergy & Gluten-Free Expo this past weekend. We took our Apple’s Bakery Gluten Free Kitchen on the road, along with 10,000 gluten-free cookies (!), and participated in the well-attended event at McCormick Place. Here I am with our booth (and a few of our satisfied customers).

Chicagoist.com and the Chicago Tribune gave the event great reviews.

Click here for a write-up of the event from Chicagoist.com and here for a review in the Tribune’s The Stew column. and see a video of the event here.