PGTV

Well I'm supposed to be on PGTV tonight for this blog. They came and asked me some questions, and then watched me eat while they filmed me. It was a very strange experience. What was embarassingly funny was for one of my filmed bites, I took to much and my eyes were watering trying to swallow it down (or course I forgot my water bottle). I only found out at about 10:30 am this morning, so no wardrobe changes and or course I didn't have a chance to shave this morning. Oh well.... We'll see if my ugly mug makes it on the news. What's the saying? Any publicity is good publicity?

Nick
wardrobe 4/10
eating skills 3/10
camera presence ?/10 (we'll see)

Update: here it is! (click here)

The Cariboo

Our Staff Christmas Party is at the Cariboo this year, and i am looking forward to going. Normally, staff parties are not the easiest due to a limited diet and I usually end up eating before (or I get stuck with a chicken caesar salad). This year however, the manager was worried about meeting my dietary needs so asked that I come in and meet with her. She was friendly and helpful, and wanted to ensure that my food was not cross-contaminated (always an annoyance when people down-play this). We decided on a steak, baked potato and green salad, and I think she was surprised at how easy it was to accommodate someone with Celiac. I would love it if more restaurants just met with me to work out what gluten free eating at their restaurants looks like. Their are a ton of restaurants I would love to try in PG, but phone calls don't usually help, and it is a big commitment to go in and try to talk to a manager or cook unannounced. So good job to the Cariboo for their forethought, and I will let you know how the food was on the weekend!

Boston Pizza

Okay, so Boston Pizza came out with a gluten free pizza for all us Celiacs. I have been there a few times and tried some different ones, and I appreciate the effort that they have gone through to become more accommodating (and give me more options than just a chicken salad. That said, The pizza would be better if they just used a Udi's pizza crust (you can buy at Save-On). Their pizza's are decent at BP, but not nearly as good as I can make at home. Needless to say, if I want good pizza I just make it, but if the family wants to go out for dinner, it is an option that I am thankful for.

nick 5/10
madi 7/10

Parkwood Save-on-Foods

Not impressed. After a year of having the College Heights Save-on, my new store is frustrating. The never have the good crackers (cheese, plain) and only have the vegetable (barely edible). The Deli staff still have no idea what is or isn't Gluten free, and last time I was there the deli employee (will not name her) complained when I asked her to wipe down the slicer so that my food would stay gluten free. I have talked to the store manager (who also has Celiac disease) so I am hopeful, but they better change soon or I will just drive farther and go to another location.

nick
4/10

Ave Maria

I like Ave Maria health foods for their whole row of gluten free foods and helpful staff. I would like to express a frustration however, that they are the only store (that I have found so far) that sells a gluten free bun that is a perfect hamburger bun and they are always out of stock. Of the 5 or 6 times that I have gone there, they have had the buns (in the back freezer section) only twice. So I am almost always disappointed, and no other buns really even come close to the flavour and texture.

My opinion may change in the near future, but for now:
6/10

Save on Foods

Went into my local Save-on today, and the Deli department has started labeling their products with "Gluten Free" tags. I have talked with Rhonda, the deli manager, several times since we moved here in August of last year and she has been very helpful. I first started by explaining what would be helpful for me when trying to buy items, and we came up with a list. She then went and trained her staff about which products were gluten free. So now that I can just look in the case and pick and choose instead of having to ask each time, I am celebrating. My next step is perhaps to get them to do a quite wipe down of the slicer before cutting my food. But I have confidence that Rhonda will be totally receptive to the idea. As she has started to see, it is not just me that is interested in gluten-free foods and that it makes good money sense to try to cater to us. After all, we are the ones buying the six dollar crackers and seven dollar bread.

9/10 Nick

5232 Domano Blvd
Prince George, BC
V2N 4A1

Udi`s White Sandwich Bread

I don`t know how Udi`s manages it, but they actually make a product that tastes so close to actual bread. When I first had it, both Madi and I went back and rechecked the packaging to make sure that it was actually gluten free. From the dark ages of gluten free bread that weighed a ton and had to be toasted in order to be edible, Udi`s sandwich bread is amazingly good; it`s like the Iphone of bread. I have actually served it as sandwiches to guests and not felt embarrassed. We no longer buy any other type of sandwich bread, cause what`s the point?

Nick 8.5/10

Madi 9/10

Cimo

Cimo is one of our favourite restaurants in Prince George. They have a very nice wine selection, and have great steaks. The servers are aware of Celiac disease and will help with selection of gluten friendly foods. They will also inform the chefs about the need for your food to be gluten free. I was informed by a friend that the wife of the head chef has Celiac disease so he is very aware of our needs, but I have not actually spoken to him so this is unconfirmed. I have had wonderful steaks the times that I have been there, and the food was great. One time we unfortunately were sat near the front doors so every time the door opened we were hit with a blast of -10C cold air. So when making reservations, make sure to ask for over by the kitchen area. There are also really nice private/like sections in the middle for couples wanting that more romantic meal.

Nick 8/10

Directions

White Spot

Our trip to White Spot was not a good one. Normally all White Spots have a allergy binder that contains a list of all products and exactly what they contain. When I asked the server for the allergy menu/binder, she informed me that they currently could not find it. Later when I informed my friend who manages a White Spot in Surrey about the missing binder he was a little shocked (apparently this is a big deal and they have to follow a lot of rules at White Spot). So, once again I had to have a chicken salad and Madi had a plain porkchop. Not exactly in our top ten choices. The food was rather plain and it took us an hour and forty-five minutes to eat and get out again. So, it will a LONG time before we waste our money there again, which is funny since I really like going to my friend's White Spot in Surrey. They make sure that they clean down the food prep center before making my food, and I actually have a choice of a main dish.

Madi 2/10

Nick 3/10