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FUK Flour Guest Speaker at Living Green EXPO Presentations & Workshops Four sessions will be offered over two days.  Please note that all presentations will take place in Room 202(immediately off the main Atrium).  See below for further details. Saturday April 27, 10:00 am to 12:30 pm Greening Faith Groups' Real Estate Portfolio Saturday...

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FUK Flour Guest Chef For Go Gluten Free Featuring... Darren Potvin, owner of FUK Flour & Gluten Free Ottawa, is very excited to be part of Kathy Smart's "Go Gluten Free featuring decadent desserts" on Sunday, Febuary 24th from 3 - 5 pm.  We are one of her Gluten Free Guest Chefs for this event, and we will be featuring both our Gluten Free Vegan Maple Cashew Fudge...

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FUK Flour & Gluten Free Ottawa Accomplishments & Awards! Here are some of FUK Flour's Awards & Gluten Free Ottawa's accomplishments in our first half quarter.   FUK Flour 's won the Award for My Favourite Find This Year for 2012.  FUK Flour also Ranked Top in Organic Restaurant  and or Healthy  Restaurant, while coming in third place for Health Food Store.        FUK...

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Manotick Shiverfest and FUK Flour News 2013 Other Must See Places While You Are In Manotick: Lindsay & McCaffrey, Lilou Organics, Green Spirit, Chilly Chiles  

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FUK Flour In The Fashion News! I was delighted when Marcia from MarciaBcreative came to my Manotick Gluten Free Bakery, FUK Flour and Ottawa Gluten Free Knowledge Centre in Manotick Ontario.    A very beautiful and Stylish young lady this Marcia is, and I was delighted when she asked me to educate her on gluten and gluten free.   This ...

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Is Canada Heading Into A Gluten Free Society? And Happy Canada Day Eh!

Category : Food, News, Travel & Play

It’s four days before Canada Day 2012 here in Ottawa, and after being at a few networking clubs that I am part of I have come to the conclusions that Canada is on a leap forward with Gluten-Free products.  Every day I am being asked question about what are the symptoms of Celiac or Gluten Intolerance, how do you know if you are allergic to gluten.  But this post isn’t about how we find out or what prevents this disease or allergy, it’s about how Canada is heading into a gluten-free society.

 

 

There are as many as 1 in every 100  - 200  Canadian poeple that have Celiac disease and as many as 300,000 Canadians could have this but remain undiagnosed.  Researchers are saying that gluten intolerance or people who suffer from a gluten sensitivity is becoming a hidden epidemic, and includes anywhere between 5% and 10% of the population.  Doctors and researchers haven’t yet come up with a current score or amount to suggest how many exact people have a gluten sensitivity but are not aware of it, since only one in four thousand-ish who suffer from celiac disease have actually been diagnosed, you can just imagine the grand scale of things, and how worse it really is when you include the undiagnosed cases of non-celiac, gluten intolerance and gluten sensitivity.  The problem here is Canadians are still being misdiagnosed and the main source of the problem could be Gluten.  Here are a few of my older post that can help you decide whether or not you should be check  for Celiac or Gluten Sensitivity; Gluten… What You Don’t Know Might Kill You! or  Gluten Intolerance Symptoms.

 

Here are a few key points:

  • Celiac Disease is a Common Genetic Condition With Serious Symptoms Triggered by the Consumption of Gluten
  • The Only Treatment for Celiac Disease or Gluten Intolerant is a Gluten-Free Diet
  • Other Consumers May Also Follow a Gluten-Free Diet For Medical Reasons
  • The Majority of Celiac Individuals Can Safely Consume Uncontaminated Oats
  • Uncontaminated Oats are Available in Canada
  • Canada’s Food and Drug Regulations Limit Options for Celiac Consumers
  • Health Canada Has Proposed Regulatory Amendments to Enhance the Labelling of Food Allergen and Gluten Sources in Canada
  • Gluten-Free Labelling is Evolving Internationally

 

I know I have posted this before, when it comes to potato chips, but since Canada Day is right around the corner and most people  have chips at there parties here is a safe list of Lays Gluten free Chips.

 

 The newest news on gluten free products. 

LAY’S Cheddar & Sour Cream Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S Classic Potato Chips
LAY’S Dill Pickle Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
Lay’s Fries & Gravy Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S Lightly Salted Potato Chips
LAY’S Ketchup Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S Old Fashioned Bar•B•Q Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
Lay’s Roast Chicken Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S Salt & Vinegar Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S Sea Salt & Pepper Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S Smokey Bacon Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S Sour Cream & Onion Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S STAX Bar•B•Q Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S STAX Cheddar Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S STAX Original Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S STAX Salt & Vinegar Simulated Flavour Potato Chips
LAY’S STAX Sour Cream & Onion Flavour Potato Chips
Wavy LAY’S Smoky Bar•B•Q Flavour Potato Chips
Wavy LAY’S Original Potato Chips

Click Here for source.

 

DONT FORGET IF YOU LOVE ROASTING HOT DOGS ON AN OPEN FIRE WHILE YOU MIGHT BE CAMPING ON THIS LONG WEEKEND, WALMART CARRIES GLUTEN FREE HOT DOGS.  THE MANOTICK GIANT TIGER CARRIES GLUTEN FREE GIANT ROASTER MARSHMALLOWS, ANOTHER PERFECT CAMP FIRE ROASTING TREAT.
 

 

Here are a few other lists that might interest you while being out and about on Canada Day long weekend.  All the essentials of a Gluten Free Long weekend Party.

 

 

 Myself Darren Potvn the owner/creator of Gluten Free Ottawa and FUK Flour wish you a safe and fun Canada Day.

 

IT’S THE INTERNATIONAL CHICKEN-RIB COOK-OFF AND I GOT THE GF LIST

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Category : Food, Gluten Free Ottawa Announcement!

Below is a list of all the teams who’s products are gluten free. They are from Canada and the United States, and they will compete for the top rank of best rib choice, best rib sauce, best chicken choice and best chicken sauce. I just found out about THE INTERNATIONAL CHICKEN-RIB COOK-OFF 2012 being held at 240 Sparks Street Ottawa, Ontario. From what I hear some of the best BBQ food will be cooking up from today June 20th to the 24th. I was downtown this morning and the sweet smell of apple smoke was burning in the air. I will see you all there as my stomach could not resist the delicious gluten free BBQ smells coming from all corners of Downtown Ottawa.


The list of competitors which are gluten free: Camp31, Texas Rib Rangers,  Sticky Fingers, Silver Bullet BBQ, Gators BBQ & Crabby’s BBQ Shack

 

Camp 31 Original BBQ Sauce -Blue Ribbon  is there only gluten free sauce they have out right now.  I spoke with the lovely Brittney who works at Camp31 and she confirmed that it was GF.

Camp31 22 Paris,
at Governor’s East, 519-442-3560, Paris, Ontario

 

Texas Rib Rangers Sauces is Gluten Free and I got that right out of the horse mouth President Bill Milroy.

Hot BBQ Sauce For the people who like it HOT
You get the great flavor first, then the heat creeps up slowly on you
Original BBQ Sauce Sweet, mild BBQ sauce.
Great on meat, egg rolls and makes a dipping sauce
Spicy BBQ Sauce
Rib Rangers most popular BBQ sauce. Most award winning sauce. Just a touch of spicy in this one
 
2402 Sherwood
Denton, TX 76209
Ph: (940) 565-1983
Fax: (940) 382-6984
Email: info@texasribrangers.com

We have Sticky Fingers Company and they have a variety of Gluten Free BBQ sauces    

Tennessee Whiskey, Memphis Original, Carolina Classic, Carolina Sweet & Habanero Hot are all gluten free.  

Check for  yourself http://www.stickyfingers.com/Carolina-Sweet-P76.aspx

Another Canadian winner  Silver Bullet BBQ.  I spoke with owner Dave Kent  today and assured me his sauce is Gluten  Free .  I will be heading down there this week  and weekend to get me some good home BBQ cooking.  kent told me they are located just right near Zellers is in front of the CBC Building. http://www.silverbulletbbq.ca/
There is going to be a lot of competition on Sparks Street Mall this week.  I was just speaking to Mr. Matt Smith owner of Gator BBQ.  They use to live in Naples Florida but now the business is in Port Dover Ontario. Mr. Smith was very clear about his product being gluten-free and as well as their manufacturing building.  Visit them at http://www.gatorbbq.ca/
 
What a Great family the George Kefalidis has.  I spoke with wife Tina and daughter Jessy two of the family owners of Crabby’s BBQ Shack & BBQ Sauce.  George who is the main owner of Crabby’s had to drive so i got my information from Tina.  Tina states that their BBQ sauce is gluten free as well as most of their products.  If there food is as good as there charm you must try their BBQ.
 

After speaking with everyone today and hearing all about their special recipes and how flavorful they are, this is going to be one big competition going on and I want to taste them all.

 

This was brought to  you buy Gluten Free Ottawa & FUK Flour.

Genetically Modified/Engineered Wheat it’s been going on for years… Did You Know?

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Category : Diseases & Gluten, FUK Flour, News

I came across this article and it scared me.  I have been saying for years that the  Canadian Government Scientists are largely at fault (in my eyes) for all the health issues concerning diseases related to Gluten Intolerance or Celiac.  I look at things in a simple, logical way, and if you modify and alter a gene – and one that is so common such as a protein gene – wouldn’t you think it could, over the years, affect our protein gene?  There is no evidence that I know of to indicate that this is the case, but logically it makes sense in my mind.  I am not a doctor nor a biologist, I am someone who is aware and who has studied, researched and kept my mind open to these interests.  In a previous article I wrote about The Autoimmune Related Disease List… and Guess What’s on it?, there is a link showing that the Canadian Government, “Health Canada,” recognized the need for development and strengthening of infrastructures to facilitate the evaluation of the allergenicity of GM proteins — they will continue to participate in international efforts in this area while welcoming the contribution of all experts. That was back in 2005, but back in 2001 Scientist & Prof. Brian Ellis, an Agricultural Scientist issued a food biotechnology warning: Click Here to Hear CBC Radio Interview.   Other processes are  combining genes from different organisms which is known as recombinant DNA technology, and the resulting organism is said to be “genetically modified,” “genetically engineered” or “transgenic.” GM products include medicines and vaccines, foods and food ingredients, feeds, and fibers. Did you know Canada is the third largest producer of GM crops and has no law requiring labeling of GM foods. I have been doing research and looking for answers on the web and can not find much about Canada, what exactly their (Canada’s) processes are, and who does the actual testing. Why all the level of secrecy surrounding testing of genetically modified organisms?

We pay for it, we eat it and then we die or get sick from it, but why don’t we have a say?

Really, how long have they been creating GMO foods? 17 years, they say. Genetically Modified foods (GM foods) or GE (Genetically Engineered)  were first put on the market in 1995.  This is what they said in 2005 (and which has not been update since, right on the Health Canada Web Site): ”Health Canada recognized the need for development and strengthening of infrastructures to facilitate the evaluation of the allergenicity of GM proteins. We continue to participate in international efforts in this area and welcome the contribution of all experts.”  Again my question is, what about all the other years that we have consumed these foods? Do you think we have already been affected by this?  There are over 300 disease associated with Celiac, Gluten Intolerance and Gluten Sensitivity, doesn’t that say enough?

 David Suzuki speaks out, “The experiments simply haven’t been done and we now have become the guinea pigs.” and adds, “Anyone that says, ‘Oh, we know that this is perfectly safe,’ I say is either unbelievably stupid or deliberately lying.”

 

I was not aware of what Novel Foods meant, but I guess it’s a nicer way of saying “Genetically Modified,”  at least this is what I was able to gather. Biotechnology is an umbrella term that covers a broad spectrum of scientific tools and techniques, including genetic modification and genetic engineering. In Canada, foods derived from biotechnology — commonly referred to as Genetically Modified (GM) or Genetically Engineered (GE) foods — are considered to be one class of “novel foods.” Health Canada regulates the sale of novel foods in Canada through a pre-market notification requirement which is specified under Division 28 of Part B of the Food and Drugs Regulations (Novel Foods).

I think I said enough for today, but what it all comes down to is that GMOs might be the cause of Gluten Disorders, Auto-immune, Neurological and a whole lot of other disease due to the toxic Proteins in GMO grains. Finally the truth is coming out.
Articles relating to my findings:

2- http://www.naturalroad.com/health-news/gmo-the-hidden-links/

3- http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/lifestyle/food/food-general/duelling-over-gm-wheat.html

4 -http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TT-srJ22POE

5- http://theintelhub.com/2011/04/03/study-finds-link-between-gmo’s-and-current-health-care-crisis/

 

 

 

If you have not heard of the Wheat Belly book New York Best seller from what I have been told it is amazing and I guess we share the same views.

 

Below is an article I came across.  I have added in my remarks with the colour gold.

Feeding a hungry world – or meddling with laws of nature?

As scientists at Rothamsted’s GM trials plead with activists not to sabotage their work, Michael McCarthy visits the battle field.  

 

 

Three senior scientists made impassioned appeals yesterday to anti-GM campaigners not to destroy a field trial of GM wheat which is the culmination of several years’ work.

 

 

The trial involves a wheat strain modified to be resistant to aphid pests, but an ad hoc group of activists, assembled in a campaign entitled Take The Flour Back, have said they will march to the trial site this Sunday and attempt to destroy the young crops.

The activists say the trial, at Rothamsted Research in Harpenden, Hertfordshire, is a threat to agriculture because pollen from the GM wheat could contaminate non-GM plants outside the trial boundary, and they believe GM is in general a dangerous and inappropriate technology for agriculture. But the scientists say cross-contamination from the site is virtually impossible, and that the new strain of wheat they are producing, besides being a boost to food security in an ever-hungrier world, itself has significant environmental benefits, as it will mean the input of pesticides is considerably lessened.

At Rothamsted yesterday, three of the leading figures in the project appealed to the protesters not to destroy it, saying they would be on the site on Sunday and would be happy to talk to the activists. “Call off your plans to destroy our experiment and come on the day and talk to us, but don’t come in a mindset of destruction,” said Dr Gia Aradottir. “This is a sustainable method that would reduce the carbon footprint for agriculture, if we don’t need to be driving tractors spraying pesticides. Surely that’s a good thing for environment? If they understand the technology and they understand what we’re doing, then they should embrace it, because really we have the same goals.”

Professor Johnathan Napier said: “Why would you want to destroy knowledge? I would ask the protesters what their solutions are to the problem of food security with the growth of the human population. What are your solutions to how are we going to feed nine billion people? We can’t do it by just simple highly-intensive, low-input organic production systems. We have to use lots of approaches.”  My response to this would lead me to say, “because it isn’t natural”.

The GM wheat plants are now nearly a foot tall, and due to be harvested in September, and the current research consists in measuring the aphid presence in the GM wheat against the number of aphids found in control-plots of non-GM wheat.  My question to the readers and scientists who are creating this GM Wheat is: why don’t you just use the methods most organic farmers use? 

The methods organic farming use include crop rotation, green manures, compost, mechanical cultivation and biological pest control. These measures use the natural environment to enhance agricultural productivity.  Vegetables are planted to fix nitrogen into the soil, natural insect predators are encouraged, crops are rotated to confuse pests and renew soil, and natural materials such as potassium bicarbonate and mulches are used to control disease and weeds. Organic farmers are careful in their selection of plant breeds, and organic researchers produce hardier plants through plant breeding rather than genetic engineering. To me, it all comes down to money. 

The modified crops contain a pheromone which is identical to the chemical used by the aphids as an alarm signal; when the aphids encounter it, they scatter, and aphid predators are attracted. The chemical, E-Beta-farnesene or EBF, is naturally occurring and found in about 400 plants, from hops to peppermint. The current trial at Rothamsted is being sponsored by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, so in effect it is being funded by the taxpayer.

In this, as in several other respects, it differs from the widely publicised trials of commercial GM crops promoted by giant agribusiness companies a decade ago, which found they would damage the environment as the extra-powerful weedkillers they were designed to tolerate would kill much other wildlife beside the target pests.

There has since been a virtual moratorium on GM crops in Britain and in much of Europe, although in other parts of the world GM technology is widely employed in agriculture on crops such as maize and soya beans.

 

“Michael McCarthy”

Michael McCarthy, the Independent’s Environment Editor, is one of Britain’s leading writers on the environment and the natural world. He has three times been Environment Journalist of the Year (1991, 2003 and 2006) and in 2001 was Specialist Writer of the Year in the British Press Awards. In 2007 he was awarded the medal of the RSPB for “Oustanding Services to Conservation” – the first time in the medal’s 100-year history that it has been given to a journalist – and in 2009 he was given the Marsh Award for Lepidoptera Conservation. In 2009 he published Say Goodbye To The Cuckoo (John Murray), a study of Britain’s declining migrant birds.

Our government has been genetically  altering our wheat and other foods for many years. All human beings share the same gene called FUK fucokinaseHomo sapiens ] (protein coding), and most of the genetically modified engineered  wheat (other GMO Foods)  are altered at the DNA protein level.  My question is, don’t you think it could meddle with our DNA.  This is my theory on how we are all becoming “allergic humans” or “glutenoids” and as well where I came up with the name for my business called FUK Flour.  It has only been in the past 20-25  years that you hear of all these kids and adults having so many allergies and weird diseases.   It’s your choice and your decision on what you want best for your life. As for myself, being gluten intolerant has made me wake up…yes, at the beginning it was a bit hard, but now it’s like it was before. 

To date there are over 81 genetically modified foods that have been approved for sale in Canada, and not one applications has been turned down.  When I read that it made me stop dead in my tracks, ‘not one application has been turned down,’ I said to myself…wow maybe I should apply… 

 

 

Information for this article http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/feeding-a-hungry-world–or-meddling-with-laws-of-nature-7786187.html

 

The Low Glycemic Index (GI) & Gluten Free Sweetener – The Golden Age Sugar

Category : Food, FUK Flour

I have been looking for an alternative sugar for artificial sweeteners and sugar substitutes as they are catchy to some people looking to cut their calories or control blood sugar. When I am meeting with vendors or consulting for gluten free I get a lot of questions about that. I don’t like to recommend processed or sweetened foods and encourage people to use natural sugars for consumption.  I recently discovered organic coconut palm sugar (coconut sugar) and decided to change a few of my FUK Flour recipes because I love it so much.  Not only is it better for you it is naturally gluten free and I love the flavour it gives to my recipes.  In previous post I have given a few of the food products special names due to the area we are going into and I give this the same title as the others, The Golden Age Sugar.

 

Organic coconut palm sugar is a natural sweetener and is derived by extracting the sap out of palm trees or “coconutpalm” specifically refers to the Coco Nucifera plant. You would think it comes from the coconut, but it’s not from the coconut itself, but rather from the blossoms of the coconut flower.  Organic coconut Palm Sugar is made from the sweet flower blossom nectar of the green coconut tree, and the nectar is collected, boiled and granulated.  Due to it’s low Glycemic Index (GI) qualities and high nutrient profile, organic coconut palm sugar is gaining popularity especially for people who follow a diabetic and a gluten free/celiac diet. The most common uses of organic coconut palm sugar is in baked goods, protein powders, energy bars, beverages or anywhere sugar is used because of its 1:1 ratio with cane sugar.  I have also used it as a 1:1 ratio for recipes calling for regular white sugar and they came out just perfect. 

Organic coconut palm sugar is also used to sweeten zesty foods like Thai and to balance out the salty flavour of fish. It can also simply be used in your tea or coffee as I do. It’s main use in cuisine is in sweets and desserts and, somewhat less often, in curries, sauces. The other great thing about coconut sugar is that it doesn’t really have a coconut flavour taste. It’s a versatile sweetener and can be used in many different recipes. By it’s self I find it has a bit of a caramel taste, or if you have had Agave Nectar it has a similar flavour.

The below table is to compare the micro-nutrients in certain sweeteners. By viewing the table you’ll notice Organic Coconut Palm Sugar seems to be much higher in many micro-nutrients, higher than any of the other sweeteners. Organic Coconut Palm Sugar also seems to be claimed as a low GI sugar, given a GI index of 35.  The way you measure GI is like so, low GI = 55 or less, Medium GI = 56 – 69, High GI = 70 or more.  Just because something is a low GI doesn’t mean you can have a lot of it which can increase your glycemic levels. Like all sugars they should be used to sweeten our foods in small parts of our diets. 

Macro-nutrients (mg / 100gm) Coconut Palm Sugar Agave Syrup Honey Maple Syrup Brown Sugar Refined, White Sugar
Nitrogen (N) 202 NA NA NA 10 0
Phosphorus (P) 79 7 4 2 3 0
Potassium  (K) 1,030 1 52 234 65 2.5
Calcium (Ca) 8 1.5 6 67 24 6
Magnesium (Mg) 29 1 2 14 7 1
Sodium (Na) 45 1 4 9 2 1
Chloride (Cl) 470 NA NA NA 16 10
Sulfur (S) 26 NA NA NA 13 2
Boron (B) 0.6 NA NA NA 0
Zinc (Zn) 2 0.2 0.2 4.2 .2 0.1
Manganese (Mn) 0.1 0.1 0.1 3.3 .2 0
Iron (Fe) 2 1 0.4 1.2 1.26 0.1
Copper (Cu) 0.23 0.1 0 0.1 0 0
Thiamine 0.41 0 0 0 0 0
Vitamin C 23.4 0.5 0.5 0 0 0

Sources:  COMPARISON OF THE ELEMENTAL CONTENT OF 3 SOURCES OF EDIBLE SUGAR - 

Analyzed by PCA-TAL, Sept. 11, 2000.  (MI Secretaria et al, 2003) in parts per million (ppm or mg/li).

Thanks to for resources www.nutritiondata.com

Health Attributes of Palm Sugar Nutrients:

Macro-nutrients Health benefits provided by these nutrients
Nitrogen (N) help treat cardiovascular diseases
Phosphorus (P) important for bone growth, kidney functions and and cell growth
Potassium  (K) reduces hypertension, helps regulate blood sugar, helps control cholesterol levels and weight
Calcium (Ca) vital for strong bone and teeth, and for muscle growth
Magnesium (Mg) essential for metabolism, nerves and stimulates the brain (memory)
Sodium (Na) plays a key role in the functioning of nerves and muscles
Chloride (Cl) corrects the pressure of body fluids and balance the nervous system
Sulfur (S) important for healthy hair, skin and nails, also helps maintain oxygen balance for proper brain function.
Boron (B) essential for healthy bone and joint function, enhances body’s ability to absorb calcium and magnesium
Zinc (Zn) called the “nutrient of intelligence” is necessary for mental development
Manganese (Mn) has antioxidant, free-radical-fighting properties, is important for proper food digestion and for normal bone structure
Iron (Fe) vital for the quality of blood, mental development and the immune system
Copper (Cu) helps to release energy, helps in melanin production in the skin, helps in the production of red blood cells and aid in the absorption and transport of iron.

Nutritional Facts:

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 100 g
Amount % Daily Value
Calories 380
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g
Trans fat 0g
Total Fat Percentage 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 2mg 0%
Carbohydrates 95g 32%
Dietary Fibre 0g 0%
Sugars 84g
Proteins 1g
Vitamin A 0%
Vitamin C 40%
Calcium 0%
Iron 20%

This was brought to you by Gluten Free Ottawa & FUK Flour. Thanks to http://coconutpalmsugar.com/ for their resources.

FUK Flour’s mission statement.

Category : FUK Flour, Gluten Free Ottawa Announcement!

FUK believes that one’s journey through life without gluten should be happier than a life with gluten. GF Swami :)

This was brought to you by Gluten Free Ottawa