Carnival Cruising Gluten-Free

Carnival Cruising Gluten-Free

http://www.carnival.com/

Hello everyone! Just thought I'd put my 2cents in on cruising. I've been taking cruises for years...on just about every line.  I have to say that for the price Carnival is probably my favorite.  It seems to be younger cruisers...activity is planned pretty much around the clock if you want to participate...and I honestly find the rooms to be some of the most comfortable.

Which is why we booked Carnival last Spring for a little Family Reunion on board Carnival Sensation. And I did the whole thing GlutenFree with no problems at all…starting with dinner at Port Canaveral. We arrived the night before departure and went out to dinner at Fish Lips in port. They had a GF menu with quite a bit of selection.  They even had a most incredible dessert that I ordered to go...just because I could...and enjoyed it later that evening in my hotel room.

The cruise was easy. There is a form you'll need to fill out when you book your cruise. It's really simple and you can get it online or from your travel agent. I got mine from my travel agent…filled it out…and emailed it in...a copy to the cruise line, and a copy to my travel agent just to be certain.

Once on board I checked in with the main dining room just to warn them I was there and would need a GF meal plan. They told me to come back at dinner time and speak with the Matre'd…which I did. She was great!! She handled all my meals from then on. The first night my choices were limited to what was already prepared and would be GF…but she knew what was available. Then each night she would bring me the menu for the following evening and I could choose ANYTHING that I wanted and it would be prepared GF just for me. Anything!!  Oh joy!!  I even ordered Crab Cakes one night.  I haven't had a decent Crab Cake in years.  Heaven :-)  The only thing I didn't enjoy was the bread…it was that white rice cardboard that most of us have tried at least once since going GF. I'm pretty certain no Chef has ever actually tasted that stuff...or they'd be using it to scrub down the sinks instead of serving it with their wonderful meals.  Dessert was no choice…but different every night and delicious!!

Breakfast in the morning was in the Main Dining Room again and totally Gluten-Free. We discovered some time ago that the Food Services on ship are all done under some incredibly strict rules and guidelines and the food and service in the Main Dining Room make it the safest place to eat.  So every morning we met at the Dining Room for breakfast and I got the fluffiest GF pancakes every day with fresh fruit, eggs and bacon. I didn't bother with the bread.  In fact…as soon as I got home I wrote them a letter introducing both Udi’s & Rudi’s breads and baked goods.  I’ve since heard back that they would consider them…but nothing since.

Lunch on the Lido deck was a bit more challenging…since I had no-one to guide me or ask questions of. As always the Wait Staff were all very knowledgeable and understanding even though their options were much narrower. But when I wanted something more than breakfast or dinner it really worked out pretty good. I just had to be a little more selective and careful.

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771

Keeping it clean...and Gluten-Free

Keeping it clean...and Gluten-Free

People often ask me what the best way to get started is.  My house is 100% Gluten-Free and has been for many years.  Some families maintain that without going 100% they can still keep a safe environment.  I’m afraid I have a hard time believing this and truly can’t recommend it.  I have Potluck Dinners every month in my home, and large Potluck Parties 3-4 times a year at my house, and those are the only times gluten might find its way into my house. My friends and family know my needs, and they’re truly, extremely careful in my home.  But there have been occasions after an event where I’ve found myself spending the next few days sick.

After which I go back to the beginning and clean my kitchen from top to bottom once again.  If you're transitioning from eating gluten to a gluten-free/wheat-free life the first thing to do is clean, clean, clean. Empty all the cabinets and wipe down all surfaces…I like to use those anti-bacterial wipes only because I know it may be quite a while before I ever do anything like that again. I may even sprinkle a little borax into the corners just because I live in Florida and bugs like to share everything. Overhead cabinets, and underneath cabinets, all counter tops…everything should be pulled out and every surface wiped down. Don't forget to clean the fridge and freezer too. It's going to take time…so I suggest you handle one major area a day and don't feel like you have to handle it all at once.

Use the dishwasher…a lot. In fact I have a rule in my home…if it doesn't fit into the dishwasher it goes into the trash. So run as much as possible through the dishwasher before putting it back into the cabinets. There are times when I’ll even wash the same load twice, letting is run through an entire cycle.  The second time I don’t use any soap but add about 2 cups of white vinegar instead.  Hand wash everything else and rinse, rinse, rinse. As you're putting things away do a quick inspection of anything that might be tough to clean…like those pots and pans…anything with cracks and crevices. Run your fingers over the surfaces…any bumps or lumps are suspect and need to be cleaned off or you may need to consider tossing the items. If you can see any metal through the scratches on non-stick surfaces those will need to be tossed anyway…so don't waste your time cleaning them. Deep non-stick scratches are great hiding places for gluten and every time you use the pan you're poisoning yourself with the exposed metal anyway.

You’ll need to replace your toaster, and perhaps anything plastic or wood.  I kept my first toaster oven, but scoured it clean and then ran everything removable through the dishwasher.  Keep in mind the more smooth, and less porous the surface the better when replacing your kitchen tools.  Personally, I love glass and use that as often as possible for prep, cooking, baking and storage.  Glass cleans up beautifully and I have no worries when others borrow something for their glutenous foods. I only use wood cutting boards and spoons, even those get thrown in the washer, then get treated with oil before being put away. 

Read the labels of all food items as you're putting them away. If you're feeling ambitious go ahead and give the packages a wipe down with one of those anti-bacterial wipes too. Sort out any suspect items and set them aside to be donated to a food pantry. If you really can't part with a favorite item…then Google it. Go to Google.com and type in the name of the product along with the words "Gluten-Free" and then see what comes up. You can make your decision then as to whether you should keep it or give it up. I generally have a rule that if I can't read the ingredients or pronounce the words I don't buy it and don't use it. For me the fewer ingredients the better; I avoid processed foods as much as possible.

Going Gluten-Free can seem so overwhelming and you feel like you're losing many of your favorite foods. After 25 years I still look at a good donut and just sigh…ah well. I have many friends who keep a Gluten-Free home, and save their glutenous desires for when they eat out or visit friends :-)

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771

Disney World Parks - Gluten-Free Safe

Disney World Parks - Gluten-Free Safe

Enjoy Magic throughout the year

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/

Ok…so I told myself I was never going to do this.  I mean, truly – Google "Disney Gluten-Free" and a ton of stuff comes up.  Everyone has a review of some restaurant at the park that they want to talk about.  But then I realized…that’s the point.  Most of the reviews are restaurants…and I generally don’t do those…probably because it’s nearly impossible to get everyone to sit down for more than 15 minutes when we’re doing the Parks.  Living only 1.5 hours away from the Mouse means we generally get to visit him quite often.  And since I’ve been Gluten-Free for years now I have to say I’ve watched the Disney World Parks improve by leaps and bounds.  Disney World is by far one of the Gluten-Free safest Parks to visit…and I can say that without any prodding from the Mouse.  I’ve stopped at the little Downtown Stores…and found treats clearly marked “Gluten-Free”…Yahoo!!  I’ve stopped at the Street Vendors to ask questions about their product and they generally know the answers :-)  I’ve stopped at their ‘Fast-Food’ style Eating Emporiums…lol…and been treated like royalty with quick, honest answers and knowledgeable staff!!  Dang!!

Whether it's a day with visiting family, a trip to support Gay Days, or just a weekend away with my girls and the grand kids, honestly, I have no fear when visiting any of the Disney Parks.  Last time we were there we stopped for lunch I think it was Pinocchio's Place.  Anyway, I just got in line with everyone else...and asked to know what was Gluten-Free and safe for me to eat.  Almost like magic a Manager appeared with a GF Menu for me to choose from.  She personally took my order, told me to NOT accept any food from anyone else but her took my order into the kitchen and re-appeared a few minutes later with my hot Mac n Cheese, Fresh Fruits and Brownie and a drink.  Then because she felt the Brownie was still too cold she also gave me a free Chocolate Chip Cookie to hold me over...lol.  I don't know how my prices compared to anyone else's...but seriously, when I can receive such individual attention and enjoy a safe meal...I really don't care if I have to pay a bit more for it.  So if you're planning a Disney Day, go ahead and pack a treat or two just to make yourself feel better - but don't worry at all about enjoying a snack or meal with your family in any of Disney's establishments...no reservations needed!!

Carolanne LeBlanc

Website:  http://glutenfreeforlifeexpo1.blogspot.com

Email:  GlutenFreeforLifeExpo@Gmail.com

FaceBook:  http://www.facebook.com/glutenfree.inflorida

Meeting:  4th Saturday of every month except December
               Imperial Palms, East Clubhouse
               101 Imperial Palm Drive
               Largo, Florida  33771