Hey All,
Yes I’ve been on radio silence lately with the completion and opening of the bakery. But more about that later. First I want to share a little story about something that happened the other day that I, for one, have had it with.
It was a few days ago (about two days before the opening of my sweet little bakery) while my BFF, Rick, was helping me with last minute details (of which there were many)! We were both hungry and needed something fast to eat. Which as all you Celiacs and gluten challenged people know is next to impossible. Rick told me he would venture out into the east village where we were and find us something. I said if you are not 100percent positive that it’s safe don’t get me anything. One hint of Gluten and I’m down for the count. My friend Rick has a gluten allergy so he sometimes takes chances that I would not. He left and about 25 minutes later returned with some items and an annoyed look on his face. He then went into the story that just took place. It goes like this…
He Walked into a Coffee House called THE BEAN (yes damn right I’m calling you out). He sees muffins labeled ‘Gluten Free’ in a case where regular muffins were sitting as well. Rick knew that would not work for me but decided to ask some questions.
RICK: Are those true gluten free muffins?
THE BEAN CLERK: Yes.
RICK: Are they made in a gluten free area?
THE BEAN CLERK: Yes they come from that gluten free bakery across town.
(Where they serve gluten free products loaded with awful ingredients.)
RICK: I also see you have a bagel that’s labeled gluten free. Is that made in a gluten free facility?
THE BEAN CLERK: Yes. It’s made in that same gluten free bakery across town.
(“WRONG,” Rick thought. That GFree bakery does NOT make gluten free bagels, nothing even remotely close.)
RICK: I happen to know for a fact that bakery does not make gluten free bagels.
THE BEAN CLERK: No they do but don’t worry just take it for free.
Rick confused, annoyed, worried, yet wanting to hurry up and get back to help me at the store, took it and left.
He arrived back to me with a few bites gone from the obviously NOT gluten free bagel. Lets just say this, my dear friend had to leave me five times to go be terribly sick throughout the day. Only then to feel fluish the next day and mad as hell.
I ask you, Would someone give a cigarette disguised as a piece of broccoli to a lung cancer patient? Or give a candy bar to a diabetic and say it’s sugar free? I don’t think so! Then WHY DO YOU INSIST ON SLOWLY KILLING US!!!!!! I for one have HAD IT. Business owners be ware when you see me come into your establishment. Yes, I will ask you annoying question. Yes, I will make you answer them again if I feel you are not telling me what I need to KNOW and not because I’m picky (LIKE SO MANY IDIOTS THINK THAT US CELIACS ARE) but because I HAVE A DISEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would like to ask The Bean if that $1.50 that Rick paid for the coffee and the wrong information was worth it. To harm people and make their insides twist and turn. I would like to think this isn’t an unkind world were people don’t care and are looking to just cash-in on our disease and misfortune, but it’s getting hard to think this is just ignorance at this point.
WHEW—-Ok I’m breathing again now. Sorry I just can’t except this for us anymore. That’s why my bakery exists for YOU, who refuse to be lied to any longer!!!!!!!!!!!!! Every pure organic ingredient is listed in my bakery and only the best safest healthiest ingredients are allowed. I’m there all the time to bake and help in any way I can. Which brings me to rounding out the whole reason for this blog.
A neighborhood girl came in the bakery yesterday, very pale and a bit frail. She said she was just diagnosed 2 yrs ago and was still so confused. She said she didn’t understand how people could lie about gluten being in a product when people said it wasn’t. I didn’t ask her where she had been in the neighborhood but I wondered if it was that same coffee house. As I said to her that she can feel safe in my bakery, she got silent, her eyes welled up and said, “thank you,” under her emotions that were taking over. You see, that recent lie that was placed on her by giving her a FAKE gluten free muffin at some uncaring establishment put her in the hospital with some intestinal bleeding for 3 days. IS THIS OK? I think not.
She smiled as I gave her an extra safe treat and she said she would be back. I hope so. I truly do.
What a sad state of affairs to lie to that poor child and so many people that NEED gluten-free options! Jennifer, cleanplates.com would love to feature your bakery if we could connect for an interview somehow (email or phone). Thanks!
Congratulations on the opening of the bakery – can’t wait to get there (I live on Long Island)…anyway, getting to your post – I myself am sick and tired of the same b.s. – everyone is jumping on the gf bandwagon and are totally clueless….needless to say, we celiacs then end up paying the price, physically…I could go on and on but I won’t….
Thank you so much Jennifer for being there, being straight forward and for your bakery…
All the best…
Unbelievable how ignorant some people are and you were right to name and shame them. Unforgiveable!!
Congratulations on the opening of the bakery and wish you all the success. I have been involved in the development of Gluten free bakery products in the UK for the last ten years and although it is challenging, it is very rewarding. I am amazed to see how quick the market is changing both in the UK and America and was really pleased to see you mention the use of pure, healthy, organic and definetely non gmo ingredients.
I believe in the next few years we will use better ingredients and new methods to produce Gluten free which will help improve quality and reduce costs.
Good Luck & Onwards
I’ll be sure to pay a nice little visit to The Bean when I come to your bakery. Arghhhhh!!!!
Yes–I am tired of being called a “pain in the ass” because I cannot eat what everyone else eats. I’m not being picky–I don’t want to be sick anymore! I wish I was close to your bakery!!
That is so scary! It really makes me aware of how careful I have to be and not just take the word of the establishment. I don’t have time to be sick for 3 days because they just want to be “hip” and sell Gluten Free items. Thank you Jennifer for what you are doing and brining awareness. I am so tired of being afraid to be looked at as picky.
I do so wish there were a bakery like yours in my city. It’s just horrible when I go to look for a treat, I have to travel about 30 miles. People are really ignorant about Celiac disease. At work people offer me treats and then pull back and say”Oh I forgot, you can’t have that”. Jennifer is one of my heroes because she puts it out there and tells it like it is.
Bless you. Hope to make a visit to the bakery when I’m in the City at the end of the month. So nice to have a voice out there (along with Gluten Dude) who “gets” it totally and completely. Thank you!!
I really don’t understand how people can present a non GF product as gluten free. Where is the conscience? Where is the education?
In Canada it is illegal to label something GF if it is not truly so, and all ingredients must be declared. Even with this law, things still slip by and we have to be on constant guard. A friend of mine noticed food for sale on Kijiji. She told me that someone had listed some bread items as GF even though they clearly were not. When she contacted the seller and asked them to remove the GF statement, she was chastised.
Thank you for naming the establishment in question. I think everyone deserves to know and hopefully they will get an educational earful.
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Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing awareness to celiac disease and the seriousness of it and your constant stand.
Congrats on your bakery!! I will be visiting soon and hope to get the chance to meet you in person!!
Best Wishes
We are all thankful for your activism and great work. <3
I recall the first time I was able to have everything in front of me. I took a bite of some gluten-free zucchini bread and straight up started bawling. It is truly an amazing feeling!
Jennifer, so glad your bakery is open–wish I lived nearby so I could come in and have a tasty treat, but I live in Wisconsin where it is cold and no one wants to be! Anyway, that is horrible about The Bean doing this to you and Rick and lying to other celiacs–they should be shut down forever.
Bless you in your endeavors!
Karen
Congrats on your bakery! The Bean establishment’s employee should be fired! Unforgivable!
It is so true when you walk into places that have Gluten free next to non gluten free goods. I talked to the manager of this place and said I would buy that if it weren’t next to the product that is not gluten free. He was very nice. He had no idea that having them next to each other would affect people who have a gluten problem. The next time I came in he had it in a completely different area away from the non gluten goods. I aid to him this is wonderful to see and I will be back for sure.
I haven’t been home to Jersey in a while and we are coming in June to see friends and family there and on Staten Island. It will be my first time going back since going GF (I’m gluten intolerant; my oldest daughter has Celiac). The is my one shot to show my girls some of NYC b/f they are off to college. I’m hoping to get to your new bakery, and am looking for suggestions on places that serve GF food. We’ll probably spend a day each in lower Manhattan, mid-town, and uptown.
On a side note: I keep hearing of people being intentionally glutened (i.e. the person KNEW the item wasn’t GF and gave it to the Celiac anyway). If I put rat poison in someone’s food, I’d get arrested for assault (or attempted murder, depending on situation). Isn’t that the same thing? Has anyone heard of someone actually getting into trouble for glutening someone on purpose?
Really? This surprises you? A bakery , or anyplace that says they have gluten free food and they don’t? That is because , right now, this gluten free food thing is a fad! People say they are gluten free..DIAGNOSE themselves, go out in the world…and wreck it for the Celiacs! Or, they choose the diet to lose weigh… Or because it is trendy… Or more healthy ( so they think..a lot of times they are not getting the proper nutrients ) ! The worse is the ones that diagnose themselves. They say they have Celiac disease… Even though the doctor says they don’t …. They want to have it sooo bad.. They diagnose themselves… But then, they have a little bit of gluten here…a little bit of gluten there… These are the people that get on websites… Become moderators (! ) and start spouting off ANYTHING they want about Celiac disease! Yet, they don’t have it !
So, we are surprised when we find a place that supposedly serves gluten free cookies? bagels? People with Celiac disease are an inclusive group. They want other people around them that have this disease…much easier on them! If more people have the disease ..then there will be more food available..more options. People then become more informed. But, that makes Celiacs their own worse enemy….. We ARE our own worse enemy.
And yep, I was diagnosed in Sept 2006. ..
Throughout this great scheme of tginhs you secure a B+ for effort and hard work. Exactly where you lost me personally ended up being on all the specifics. You know, they say, details make or break the argument.. And it couldn’t be more true here. Having said that, let me say to you what did give good results. Your article (parts of it) is actually highly convincing which is possibly why I am making the effort to opine. I do not really make it a regular habit of doing that. Second, whilst I can see the jumps in logic you come up with, I am not certain of just how you seem to connect the details which help to make your final result. For right now I will, no doubt subscribe to your issue however trust in the foreseeable future you link the dots much better.
Unquestionably believe that which you sttead. Your favorite reason seemed to be on the net the simplest thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about. You managed to hit the nail upon the top and defined out the whole thing without having side effect , people could take a signal. Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
You are correct that this happens all too often and it’s frustrating. I am on the West Coast with a bakery very similar to yours and what a joy it is to have a customer come back and thank us for a safe treat. Thank goodness there are a few of us out there who actually care
I have completely given up on eating at restaurants of all types. I don’t eat processed food at all. My diet consists of meat from the meat section of Costco (which I rinse off to be sure) fresh produce and lettuce that I washed myself for various salad ingredients – eaten with oil and balsamic vinegar. Cheese and lunchmeat that is supposed to be gluten free (you cannot be 100% sure of anything so watch for symptoms). And for breakfast, since I am still on a low carb diet – eggs and bacon or sausage (also supposedly GF).
Is this boring? Yes, somewhat but it is better than being sick. When I go off the low carb deal I add some corn meal (says GF on the package and so far so good), fresh sweet and red potatoes, the premium ice cream at Costco and salted in the shell peanuts (again GF). Not much else. I have had bad reactions from Smuckers and other popular jams and jellies and several other brands as well. I have tried peanut butters of all brands and they all make me sick.
If you are a Celiac, you better adopt a philosophy about realism and acceptance. Accept the situation you are in as real and rationalize that at least you are aware of the problem and you control what you put in your body. Stupidity will always be around us and there is very little you can do about others being stupid. That’s just a fact of life. Get over it, because you have your life to live.
Jennifer, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! on getting your bakery up and running!
I am so sick and tired of being sick…
I can’t even get my husband to understand WHY I need a separate toaster! Why would I expect a public cafe to care what gluten does to me? So, kudos, woman!
Linda Addison, Colorado
Thank YOU all for your comments…ONLY a Celiac patient can understand what we go through…From husbands, family members and friends who constantly say, “oh can’t u try a little”..my answer to all of them is: “can you give an alcoholic a little drink? I finally color coded my toaster, my pots and pants and keep my ‘stuff” in a separate cabinet…UGH.. Recently my aunt took me out for what she thought was a “gluten” free bakery….After asking the question over and over the clerk finally told me that although the sign says “GLUTEN FREE” their muffin is made is a facility with flour and wheat…I told them they are false advertising their products and demanded my aunts $4.00 back for a muffin I refused to eat..I am the one who gets sick NOT them…As one of my books said when I was first diagnosed, “WHEN IN DOUBT, leave it out…I live by that NOW…I’m so tired of being sick..
Congratulations Jennifer!!! Thank you for being our voice when no one listens….My dream was to open a bakery as well, but I lost my job too in 2004 and couldn’t make my dream a reality..
Boston, MA
Linda I’m so sorry you don’t have support at home so you can get healthy. This eating thing is hard enough without someone in the family poo pooing your disease. I’m so lucky to have a husband who has my back. Hang in there.
I definitely can rtaele to the notion of feeling fat after every meal before going gluten-free and being diagnosed with celiac. I basically equated bad food with feeling bad. I thought that you were suppose to feel awful when you ate a donut because donuts are bad for you Such a weird concept, but when you get accustomed to being sick for so long, those physical ailments start to become mental and you do feel down on yourself. So I can definitely rtaele to having body image issues. Maybe there should be more articles written about that and not some poor girl at a party with another legitimate disease.
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Hello Everyone, I thought I would give this question a chance. Do any of you have extreme cases of burping when you eat certain foods? Just found out allergic to oats, rice, bananas, nuts, oranges, pineapple, peas, carrots, vanilla, & few other things. Trying to avoid & taking some digestive enzymes but not helping whole lot. Any ideas of what causes extreme burping & bloating & constipation. Would so appreciate any advice?
This is why I struggle with just not eating at all and why now my malnutrition is not just malabsorption but lack of food! It’s THAT hard & scary.
Hi Jennifer
Thank you for being so outspoken! My mom and I happened to see you on a clip on Fox news and simultaneously checked out your website without talking to each other about it, this led to me getting a diagnosis. Here is my story:
While pregnant for the fourth time (I had one miscarriage) I began to have serious issues with pain from eating. Prior to this, both my parents had had their gallbladders removed, mom for stones and dad for biliary dyskinesia. I was on vacation at the time so we just tried to stick to a gallbladder diet until I was able to see my midwife. This became vegan, low fat, and low sodium. This was while only 3 months pregnant so we hoped to just ease through the pregnancy and seek gb removal after. I had my sweet baby in March of 2012 (9lbs despite me only gaining a grand total of 15!) and gb tests were done showing it as non-functional. My surgeon is AWESOME! He encouraged me to continue to try diet changes and is a big proponent for a healthy, natural lifestyle. At 4 months post-partum it was painfully obvious the gb had to go so it did in July 2012. The Dr was very encouraged by the fact that the thing was obviously not functioning, my intestinal biopsy showed no damage and he felt we might have the solution to my pain. It did not work and my pain and symptoms were worse. In October 2012 I decided to try gluten free as gluten is known to cause problems for those with biliary dyskinesia. After continuing to see no improvement I was lost, until that day mom and I saw your interview. I had already intended to revisit my surgeon and possibly see a gastroenterologist. So I called my surgeon, who is my only medical advisor since my midwife moved, and requested he order a test for Celiac. To be honest he didn’t know what to order or how to read it so he researched and ordered an anti-tissue transglutaminase IgA test. He explained that a negative would be less than 4 units/mL, weka positivite was 4-10, I scored a 12 while on what I thought was a gluten free (except receiving Communion at Mass as I am Catholic). This was all Monday, March 4th 2013. Now I am feeling lost. We live in rural Alaska (over 100 miles to the nearest store with a gluten free, organic, or health food section) and pickings are pretty slim. I don’t even know where I am getting gluten from, except eating things that may have been made in the same facility as wheat or cross contamination from making my family’s food. My surgeon has referred me to a naturopathic dr as we both are of the mindset that western medicine holds no answers for me. There is very strong evidence that I am also suffering from biliary dyskinesia (also called sphincter of oddi where the sphincter spasms and can not regulate the bile) so I am trying to maintain low-fat, vegan and low sodium besides the gluten free which takes out a lot of coconut oils and products. I am still learning but truly appreciate having your website to help me make my way!
Thank you!
Meghan Orona
Absolutely right Linda! My grown children refuse to accept that I have this disease and my husband cannot seem to remember what I can eat and not eat. So why should a restaurant care?
I recently had an experience with a certified gluten free cracker that was not gf. I contacted the company and called to their attention that the oat bran contained therein was not gluten free oat bran. The answer was that it is so many units of gluten which allows them to use it and say gf. I replied that it is not ok and got another crappy answer. I just dropped it, what can you do but not buy them? I make 90% of my diet from scratch, I thought a cracker not made by me would be a treat. WRONG!
Jennifer, wish I lived by you so I could go to your bakery.
So happy for you that you have your bakery up & running, I wish you huge success! Wish we lived a little closer but we are planning a trip to New York & we are going to find you!!! We have always eaten out a lot but since my husband was diagnosed a celiac 18 months ago we are left with very few choices.Most servers have no idea & frankly don’t get paid enough to care. Went for breakfast this week, server was terrific, his mom had just been diagnosed so he was very aware. I wrote my flour recipe out on a napkin for him. Our local japanese place is terrific & really thoughtful! We love them. A local upscale hamburger joint is great & have gluten free gravy as well. Hubby can no longer tolerate red meat, dairy, nothing processed. Its all fresh & from scratch at this house. Yesterday I made GF banana, mango, coconut, pecan muffins – unbelievable! Our red seal chef son breezed through & devoured 2 before he left! “Perfect muffins Moogie (Ferengi for mother).”Can’t get a better seal of approval! Congratulations on opening the bakery, hopefully if we are loud enough we can educate society!
It really is wonderful to have a couple of places that you can trust when you do want to enjoy a meal out. I’ve got two places here that are truly fantastic, and one of them a pasta house – a place I never imagined being able to eat at when I went GF.
I’m slowly selling my brother, also a chef – in the process of going for his red seal – on the fact that GF can be equally as delicious as non-GF and I’m always looking for new recipes to try out. If yours get your sons seal of approval I would be most grateful if you would consider sharing your recipes.
Definitely imagine that that you sttead. Your favourite justification appeared to be on the net the simplest thing to take into account of. I say to you, I definitely get irked whilst other folks consider worries that they plainly do not recognize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top and outlined out the entire thing with no need side effect , people could take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thank you
Your article was execllent and erudite.
Patti, I am so glad you have been able to create your own recipes for flour and such. I myself am not a Celiac but my sister-in-law is and I would LOVE to get your flour and the muffin recipe you mentioned. I want to be able to make my own treats for when she and my brother come to our house for dinners or special occasions. I NEVER want to feed her something that will make her sick or make her feel left out. I can send you my e-mail if you don’t want to post it here. Thank you!
Congrats on your new endeavor!
Interestingly, I read this blog right before yours, on “being loud and demanding” and making your needs heard:
http://aprovechar.danandsally.com/being-loud-and-demanding/
I wish I could just take all of you and feed you healthy, nurturing food, in a place where you didn’t have to worry about ingredients. When I went to my church Christmas party, I brought along my own buns, gravy, dessert, etc. as I always do, and one of the ladies brought her daughter and grandbabies, who we hadn’t met before. Well it turned out that the grandson (about 3 yo) was fairly recently diagnosed as celiac, and had come thinking that he wouldn’t be able to eat anything good. I was so happy to be able to share my food with him – I brought plenty – and to watch him gobble up the buns and keep asking for more. I wish I could just make everybody feel safe and nourished.
Jennifer,
Maria
First, congrats on the bakery!
Second, I just love your posts. I’m so glad that celiacs (I’m not, but my husband Justin Carr is) everywhere have such a passionate, vocal, smart, bold ambassador. So many of them are just too beaten down by the illness and managing it every day to have the energy to speak out.
Thank you so much!
I loved this. I have soy and dairy allergies among other things. I get so tired of people telling me ‘oh come on, a little won’t kill you.’ Maybe not but it might make me wish I were dead. It seems people that don’t have allergies (that they are aware of) simply don’t get it when it comes to trying to maneuver through the world avoiding the problem. Thank you for writing this and good luck with your new bakery!
I am so happy for you that you opened your own bakery. I just wish you were closer so I could come and visit. I wanted to comment on your BFF and what happened to him. Why did he eat that bagel knowing that that girl wasn’t sure what it was? Nothing against Rick, but he should not have bought that bagel and called them out.
Congratulations on the opening of your bakery! Wishing you the BEST!!!
I feel the same way. Wake up people if we asked if it is true gluten free than find out what you need to know to say it is. People think we are nuts. When we suffer with this just like any other person with any other DISEASE. Do we have to fall over died in front of them to make our point. One day I got so mad at a guy who did not know any thing about gluten tell me I was nuts and he knew all, I just hung up.
I live in am area where you can not get ANY THING gluten free or even think it was made in a gluten free place. Wish your bakery was here. I have given up all desserts, breads and anything else that I use to enjoy.
I wonder if the people from the FDA have any one in their family with Celiacs!
Do you think it would be ok for them to lie about what is true gluten free and what is not. Would they be approving what they call safe for us. How can people do this?? Why will people not look into what they put in our food. I pray for these people!
Congratulations and thank you for doing what you do, with the bakery and being an advocate for all of us.
We have one GF bakery in town that a couple of GF friends have tried without incident so I think they’re safe there, the challenge I find is with all the other allergies and sensitivities I have. In addition to gluten I have to steer clear of milk, eggs, nuts, potatoes and corn. among other things. Since becoming GF almost a years ago I have yet to find anything pre-made or store bought that I am able to enjoy in the baked goods department. I’m getting really good at always carrying fruit, rice crackers or a safe granola bar with me and am finally getting brave enough to start trying to convert recipes into ones that I can enjoy but it has certainly has been a steep learning curve.
No one who know I was allergic to nuts would intentionally feed me something that contained nuts but yet they don’t seem to care when it comes to gluten. No, I am not going to swell up and die within a matter of seconds if I ingest something that contains gluten but within a few hours I’ll be feeling its effects and within 12 – 24 hours I’ll be in the midst of a migraine that is often severe enough to land me in the ER, so not much better off than the nut issue. Some peoples minds are slowly starting to change but we need more people to speak out and to stand up for us if we really want to be able to feel safe in the outside world as Celiacs, gluten allergic and gluten sensitive people. THANK YOU for being such a person, and for inspiring others with what you do!
Lex
I’m also allergic to eggs and nuts. I’ve found that I can eat many of the products by the Enjoy Life brand if I want a pre-made treat. All their products are free of the top 8 allergens, and I don’t think anything I’ve had of theirs had potato or corn either.
Congratulations on your new bakery. Maybe one day you will be a chain restaurant and gluten free allergy safe foods will be available around the continent. I too have Celiac and many food allergies, including rice, corn soy which basically eliminate most packaged foods. I really wish I had access to something like your bakery were a list of ingredients was listed with the gluten free sign. It is very hard to always ask what the ingredients are when you are out. I usually just do not eat foods unless I have made them myself, it is just not worth getting sick. It is sort of frustrating that so many places are now hopping on the gluten free bus to meet the needs of dieters who are watching their carbs by eating gluten free not really understanding the full meaning of a true gluten free diet. Thank you for your passion towards the celiac cause. I very much appreciate reading your blog. You inspire me to become more proactive about our cause.
God bless you, Jennifer, and all of the people that helped you make Jennifer’s Way Bakery possible. You are blessed to have such wonderful people in your life. I applaud all of you for your hard work and the many sacrifices all of you have made. Furthermore, for having principles of altruism and putting them into practice as the modus operandi of Jennifer’s Way.
Jennifer
Glad to hear your bakery is finally open. It will definitely be one of the places to visit the next time in NYC. Very few non-Celiac people can understand the challenges faced by someone with this desease. Your a great spokesperson!
Joel
Congratulations on your new bakery! I am sorry you have places like The Bean there. I live in the bay area (southern part) and there are not any gluten free bakeries that I know of in Silicon Valley! Fortunately I go to Fresno, CA, a lot and they have two decent gluten free bakeries. The only problem is both have cupcakes that are tasteless! Muffins and breads are good though. Glad to see you are helping Celiacs in New York be safe. Hope you will still act some. Really liked you in Blue Bloods. None of the new women they put in your part fit it like you did!!!
BTW, what is the address of your bakery? Will be in New York end of October and would like to come buy some products :))
I had something similar happen when I was home a year ago for a funeral. It is a very rural island and I planned ahead by renting a condo with a kitchen for those “just in case” times. I was in town with my Uncle putting up fliers and he wanted to go into the bakery…very popular with the locals. He asked if I wanted anything and I reminded him I couldn’t have anything and thanked him for asking. He comes out 2 minutes later saying they have gluten-free bread. I was shocked and went in with him and asked the woman behind the counter which breads are gluten-free. She pointed to the owner and said the owner could answer. So I asked the owner and she looked me right in the face and said, “All of them.” I knew it wasn’t right because I grew up eating their bread. So I asked, “Do you use all-purpose flour?” “Yes,” she answered. “That has gluten in it,” I informed her. She didn’t even blink when I told her she was wrong. I quietly just stood by my uncle while he made his purchase.
Congratulations on your bakery and all of your efforts to spread the word about Celiac Disease. Wish that I lived close by so I could come to your bakery all the time. I do not eat out anywhere and am fed up with the cross-contamination issues that no one seems to understand at these establishments. Thank you for what you are doing, you are a great inspiration. Your passion and dedication for this endeavor are truly appreciated and I know it will be a huge success.
Jennifer,
It behooves you to speak with the manager and write an update on here. (Screaming about how horrible they are is just step one.)
There is only so much that muckraking can do though it is so important. Tangible progress can only be made with face-to-face contact. The comment you made to “Rick” in your post (see below) should be made FACE TO FACE with their management — eradication of the problem through this blog post is sadly not possible.
I also found them on YELP–informing others via review sites is important!
Sara
**Perhaps make your comment–face to face?: “I would like to ask The Bean if that $1.50 that Rick paid for the coffee and the wrong information was worth it. To harm people and make their insides twist and turn. I would like to think this isn’t an unkind world were people don’t care and are looking to just cash-in on our disease and misfortune, but it’s getting hard to think this is just ignorance at this point.
Congratulations on your bakery! I wish there were more places like you around. So much false information floating around…I attended an event at a steakhouse last weekend, a place that did not have an allergen list and I was hyper-careful when ordering, making certain my server understood what I needed and how things were to be prepared. When my steak came back covered in auju, I questioned whether the auju was safe. Her response “oh, I’m sure it will be fine.” Mine, “first off, I’m pretty sure it won’t be fine, additionally, I ordered medium rare, this is medium-well, please bring me a new one, cooked properly without the auju.” The manager returned with the steak, without seasoning or auju. I hate paying for something I can better prepare at home, but it was for someone else, not myself…needless to say, I will not be returning nor will I encourage anyone else to go there. Given the size of my family (7), there is no such thing as a small bill when we go out….a shame how a smug attitude can cost a business so much. I hope The Bean hears your message, loud and clear! xoxo
Since I know I thought your readers would like to find out about the uses of honey – since you USE honey
knowhttp://www.fratellonemedical.com/march-12-2013-remedies-using-honey/ you use honey
Love you
knowhttp://www.fratellonemedical.com/march-12-2013-remedies-using-honey/ you use honey
Since you use honey in your recipes
Thank you for opening this bakery. I have a gluten allergy that causes me to feel real discomfort for up to 4-5 days if I eat something that isn’t gluten-free. It is nearly impossible to resist temptations when everyone else around me doesn’t have to live with such restrictions. Celebrations such as birthdays, holidays, weekends usually include some sort of dessert treat and I, of course, can never eat anything. I plan to stop by your bakery (I only live a few blocks away) and pick up some goodies soon – and I have a feeling that you’re bakery will be a spot where I can pick up some amazing gluten free treats!
Side note: Bistango restaurant in Gramery/Kips Bay is absolutely delicious and offers great gluten free options. While we can never truly know if something is gluten free 100%, they seem very concerned with helping those with food allergies. Worth a call.
I was told yesterday after getting a spinal tap that my MRI and blood work was looking less like the MS that my optic neuritis had led doctors to believe I had and was looking more like Celiac Disease. I was glued to my computer and read as much as I could late into the night. So many things seemed to make sense all of a sudden. I took the day off of work because of the post-lumbar headache I woke up with and parked myself on the sofa, with Google to read more. Watching the Today Show I looked up to see your face.Telling your story. Sharing your life. Talking about Celiac Disease. Are you kidding? What are the chances? If my spinal tap had been scheduled today or the day before yesterday or ANY other time I wouldn’t have taken off today. I wouldn’t have seen that piece on KL&H. I’m not trying to be hokey or corny but it strikes me as a little bit of cosmic intervention. I am scared, confused, angry but hopeful. I would never say that I am glad for a diagnosis of any disease but to maybe, FINALLY have an answer to what I have been going through for so long, to no longer feel like a hypochondriac constantly complaining about yet another problem…a diagnosis is such a relief. Even though the diagnosis is not certain yet, I feel like the universe might be sending me a signal by putting me in front of the tv this morning to hear your story.
Next stop gastroenterologist for tissue samples of small intestine.
Congrats on the bakery. I live in York, Pa. but diagnosis or not I will visit your bakery when in NYC next if for no other reason than to thank your people for doing your good work. You must feel so fulfilled.
I will NOT however be stopping by The Bean.
Jennifer,
I just seen you, and heard your story on the today show. As soon as you mentioned your website, I went directly there and read your story, and must say, I’m truly inspired. I can’t believe how similar our stories are. All my life, I’ve felt with health problems with no answers. I have delt with pain, nausea/vommiting, depression, anxiety, tremors so bad it limits what I can do, hair loss and so much more. I have spent a lot of time in the er and hospital, and diagnosed with so many different things. Lyme disease, ebstienbar, gallbladder disease, kidney problems, tumor in brain, arthritis, restless leg syndrome, asthma and more. Tested positive for all of them, thinking I’m cursed. Prescribed a ton if residences and treatment, but still nothing helped. At one time in my life I was taking over 20 pills a day, thinking this is it; I can’t be helped, I’m going to die. All those embarrassing trips to the er because I was in so much pain and could not keep anything in. Having to be kept in hospital for dehydration over and over. Doctors would say I just have a “nervous stomach”, and “low pain tolerance”. Those are exact words. That it’s all in my head like I’m crazy. I really felt lost. Found out a few months ago that I have celiac, and now (although relieved to finally have answers), I’m compelled lost. I’ve always been a picky eater, and never big on the fruits or vegetables. So, now what? I am in desperate need of help! After reading a lot online, I still am unsure reading labels. PLEASE HELP
I just read that and need to apologize for all the spelling mistakes. I’m using my kindle, and it automatically changed some of my words. I also would like to add my experience with celiac on a cruise. I just got back a week ago. Before the cruise, I had contacted them and told them about my celiac. I was told I would have plenty of options. So here I was thinking how great it was going to be, and I might even gain some weight, not lose the 6 pounds I did that week. If I went to the restaurant(dress code: elegant) there was 3 gluten free options, but only one that I would eat. For my favorite part of the meal, desert, I could have fruit cocktail, yuck! Out of the 7 days on the ship, I ate in the dining room only twice, preferring much better to be dressed. causally. This left the buffet or room service for eating. The only gluten free option on the room service menu was a banana, and at the buffet when I asked what was gluten free I would get that questioning, what are you talking about, and then a, yes, yes. I was glutened twice and although they didn’t feel it was no big deal, I did. I wasted 2 days stuck in the bathroom in my room, and with a lot of pain. I truly believe in your mission, and bringing awareness to celiac disease. One more thing I wanted to comment on was how expensive gluten free products are. I’m a disapled single mom, who had difficulty feeding my family before I found out I have celiac. Now I find it almost impossible.
Hello Jennifer,
I saw you this morning on the Kathy Gifford, and Yoda show. After watching and hearing you mention the blog, I immediately went there. I do not know if I have Celiac or not, as I’ve been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, but I wonder?? I suffer from horrible panic attacks, severe body wide pain, etc, etc. This has gone on for over 35 years, and I live on opiates to just survive at this point. I recently tried the cave man diet for a few months and along with losing allot of weight I also noticed that I felt better overall. I know you cannot diagnose me, or anyone for that matter, but after reading and watching some of your video’s I just wanted to let you know my next visit to the doctor will be filled with questions about Celiac disease. Thank you for this blog, and I look forward to the time when your bakery will ship products to other states. I will be following your site from this day forward!
Congrats on your bakery! Will you eventually be shipping treats or just selling locally. Since I moved out of NYC, it’s difficult to find good, quality options. Last weekend, I was in a crepe shop that was offering gluten free crepes. However, they couldn’t tell me if the ingredients to be placed in the crepes were gluten free. The week before, at a burger shop that offered gluten free buns, the waiter informed me that “they don’t encourage people with a gluten allergy to eat at their establishment.” WHAT?! Why the **** offer gluten free buns or crepes if you don’t want celiacs or those with a gluten allergy eating at your establishment?
Saw you on kathie lee and Hoda this morning and am now diving head first into everything jennifer Esposito. I have two young sons that are battling what I feel sure is celiac but can’t seem to get anyone to hear me out! The oldest of the two even had a partially positive blood test (whatever that means) but the doc isn’t convinced she should put a three year old to sleep yet for the biopsy. Meanwhile, he’s having frequent diarrhea that burns his bottom so badly it literally eats the skin off and leaves open, bloody sores. He vomits several times a week without any explanation, his belly gets so bloated after he eats I have to disrobe him to try and minimize his discomfort. He’s constantly complaining of a stomach ache, a headache, and keeps a runny nose. He also stopped gaining weight at 6 months when he began eating solids, and was actually sent for testing (kidney function, liver, etc) because of his “failure to thrive”. And theses doctors keep telling me “kids get sick sometimes”. What?! Now my ten month old is experiencing the exact symptoms his brother did at his age. So, do I try to convince these people to get us a diagnosis or do I just switch my family to a gluten free diet?
THANKYOU from the wife of a celiac sufferer. People seem to think that its all a big joke. Eat just a little, it wont make any difference. Ahggggg! Watching my husband suffer if coming into contact with gluten is just heartbreaking. Look forward to visiting. Thanks!
Thanks for discussing your ideas. I might also like to exserps that video games have been ever before evolving. Modern tools and enhancements have served create authentic and active games. All these entertainment games were not as sensible when the real concept was being experimented with. Just like other forms of technologies, video games as well have had to develop as a result of many decades. This itself is testimony to the fast development of video games.
Thank you for what you’re doing to raise awareness about Celiac Disease and for your refreshingly direct, hard-core approach to education! Most days, it seems NO ONE understands how hard it is to live with this disease. The validation you have given to so many Celiacs by raising your voice is immeasurable. Can’t wait to visit your bakery, looks awesome!
Just a comment that may apply to this topic. I loved Chipotle burritos and missed them when I had to switch to a GF diet. Switched to the Burrito Bowl and usually did not have bad results until one day when I DID! I went back to the location to report my incident, thinking their ingredients may not have been fresh. They were supportive, interested, caring and I had follow-up both from the store manager and from their main administrative office. Upshot is that they are extremely careful with the refrigeration and regular freshening of the ingredients they serve. When I explained that I was a celiac person they recommended the following: Ask the server who will be handling anything by hand to please put on fresh gloves and to use toppings that have not yet been put out. They always have fresh lettuce and grated cheese etc. ready to go in the back. Reason being that the flour on the burritos they handle will still be on their hands or has been dispersed as they pick up the ingredients. Now when I eat there it’s clear the staff has been taught about the necessity of honoring this request because they have always been cooperative and friendly.
I look forward to visiting your bake shop very soon. Good luck to you!
We have recently found out that 2 of my children and my husband are gluten intolerant and are starting the challenging journey of gluten free living. I can’t imagine having celiac disease and being so seriously ill from eating something which has been in the same case as something with gluten.
I feel, however, that the tone of this was overly harsh. Saying that “it’s hard to think it’s ignorance’ seems a statement based more out of anger than out of analytical thinking. I just read your ‘about’ post and remember you stating that the hospital you went to didn’t have anything safe for someone with celiac to eat. A HOSPITAL. And that your gastroenterologist hadn’t even considered celiac disease as a diagnosis. How is some kid working for minimum wage at a coffee shop supposed to be an expert on a gluten-free diet? The more responsible thing for the employee to do would be to check whether an item was gluten free if corrected that it was not, yet that’s a lot of accountability for an entry-level employee to display in a potentially stressful situation.
If your aim is to educate so that the world becomes a safer place for people with celiac disease, a more productive course of action than an angry blog post may have been to find a time to speak to the manager of The Bean about the situation.
I was also somewhat surprised that the food crisis happened in the first place. You compared the situation to giving a diabetic a candy bar and saying it was sugar free, yet my teenaged diabetic niece would never leave the house without her diabetes test kit, insulin, and some form of sugar to deal with lows. It seems as if it might be prudent to have a similar ‘celiac kit’ with you at all times which has safe food for you to eat if you end up getting delayed in your day. I was also shocked that your friend Rick would eat a bagel which he had deep suspicions about, and then get angry. Really? And why even risk a baked good in the first place? I would think that the safest choice to be looking for would be an orange or banana, something that you could absolutely know was not gluten contaminated (once washing the peel and then your hands thoroughly).
I admire your courage in dealing with a debilitating and little understood disease, but I found this post disturbing. I don’t believe that belligerance will help in your mission.
Best of luck on your bakery, it sounds amazing!
A powerful share, I just given this onto a cluelagoe who was doing just a little analysis on this. And he in reality bought me breakfast as a result of I found it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the deal with! However yeah Thnkx for spending the time to debate this, I feel strongly about it and love reading more on this topic. If possible, as you change into expertise, would you thoughts updating your weblog with more details? It’s highly helpful for me. Massive thumb up for this blog put up!
Dear Jennifer,
First and foremost, thank you for the work you have done! If every person was as passionate about their jobs and causes like you are about yours, the world would be a much better place.
I know everybody has their personal coeliac disease but I would like to use this opportunity to ask a question about your symptoms. Namely, I am now going through the gluten challenge (having to eat it every day for a certain period of time) to then go and get tested for this autoimmune condition. I have felt pretty lousy during these past 2 weeks. Having been almost gluten free before (eating clean whole foods, preparing from scratch) and now getting back to these foods have worsened my condition. However, it is not all bad all the time. For half a day, I may feel sick and tired and then suddenly, out of the blue a moment of clarity comes – suddenly my head is clear, my stomach does not feel heavy, arms and legs feel light and joints won’t hurt. And then right after dinner I bloat up again and the sensitive stomach offers its lovely company for the hole evening. Ohh …
Anyway, these clear moments make me question that what if all these symptoms really are in my head. However, I consider my-self a sane reasonable person who would like to get some medical answers instead of letting these symptoms getting in the way of my social and love life.
Did you have these “clear” moments during the heavy times before you got diagnosed ? And how often would these alterations take place?
Even if my tests come back negative (and I hope not false negative), I am planning on seriously cutting down on wheat and rye products that I am currently consuming. My body does not feel right at the moment and I can’t really do sports with some of the symptoms getting in the way.
However, going back to my whole foods would not be another fad diet for me. I call it a life style choice.
I will also get tested for food allergies just to make sure I ok with other food as well.
I would appreciate your feedback!
Kind regards,
Inga
PS! Do you still drink coffee or did you have to cut back for the sake of recover?
I agree with everything you said! Recently, a local french bakery began to offer gluten free breads in addition to their traditional breads. I emailed to ask about how they ensure it is gluten free; do you use dedicated space, equipment? what measures are taken to avoid cross contamination? Boy, was he angry that I would even dare question their processes. He said that his family has been in the bakery business for generations and knew what it takes to make a gluten free product (not answering a single one of my questions). Then he went on to state that they are not a large scale commercial bakery and did not have to have such precautions in place (which essentially answered my questions). I wouldn’t touch that bread with a 10 foot pole!
Some people just don’t get it. Which is okay, just keep out of the gluten free business!
I wish there were more truly gluten free options here in the UK. Sure, some coffee houses sell shrink-wrapped, ancient pastries. But for someone with allergies on top of celiac (casein, whey, soy, peanuts, yeast, eggs, and wheat itself), NOTHING is safe! Some restaurants do their best, and all credit to them, but mostly all I can eat is super-clean lettuce. Very helpful for someone who trains 5 hours a day every day!
Even sometimes in the house, the shop-bought food has been cross-contaminated with ‘gluten’ produce, or, better still, enriched it with wheat-derived vitamins (why?). I’ll often end up calling an ambulance to spend another few days in hospital so I don’t end up dying in my kitchen. Calls to the companies selling me this stuff do not help, and believe me I have tried! They lie about what their produce contains, although I shouldn’t be surprised given the amount of horse we have apparently all eaten.
I wish I could visit your bakery, then I wouldn’t have to worry about at least one allergen. If you ever feel up to it, a London branch would be brilliant. Good luck!
Hi! I watched your story on Fox Files a couple nights ago and I have a couple of questions if you’ve have time to answer.
I’ve had a serious addiction to chocolate and I’m curious now that you have a sensitivity or allergy to it, what you do to replace it or to distract yourself from the cravings?
I’d also like to know which allergy test your doctor uses for you. I’ve had the Elisa ACT/LRA test and the LEAP test in the past. Curious to know if you are using one of those or something different?
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I just watched the Fox Files program. I’m sitting here in great surprise with what I just learned of Celiac Disease. I am always SICK. And, every test I’ve ever had comes back Negative! I’ve had probably the longest flu and sinus infections on record. And, now I just figured out WHY. Several years ago an assistant for a law firm suggested that I could have Celiac Disease. She said her sister has it. I let it go in one ear, and out the other..never thought of it again…until now. What do I do? Where do I begin? I guess I’ll start with asking my dr at cleve clinic to do a test. Thank you. I’m sure this is probably why I feel like I’m sick all the time.
I would love to order from your bakery (I was diagnosed celiac 2010) if you ever start up mail orders!! I doubt I’ll ever make it that far east from Arizona… Congrats on the new venture tho’!!!
Oh yeah and try avoiding soy in addition – especially that cheap, chemically processed soy oil that is not required (by the FDA) to be labeled! It’s mixed into many “oils”, most “cheap oils” and used to “water down” the cheaper olive oils.
The truth is that unless they’ve been through it, people just don’t get it. I’ve only recently pinned down the soy issue that was making me very sick for the past 11 months – yes, every day for 11 months; now trying to navigate it in the real world is a huge learning curve.
I found out almost 2 weeks ago, after eating anything in sight, that I had the “Celiac”. My insides started turning me into contortions with pain I could not reconcile. Ironically, my husband and I were on our way to a beautiful Sunday brunch with all the trimmings. I sneezed extra hard and found myself holding onto my abdomen.
I am new to the desease so I needed to act fast in case there was nothing at hand that I could eat. I found that there are aisles in some grocery stores that claim to have GF foods. This is encouraging but you still have to be careful. I am eating mainly fresh fruits and vegetables.
I wish you much success in the bakery!
Tears are streaming down my face as I read your story(ies)!
God Bless you Jennifer and all of those affected by digestive/immune disorders and to those of us still looking for answers!!!! A special shout-out to your support system and a big CONGRATS to you on your bakery and your amazing outreach which might I add is an obvious God-sent!! Blessings to all!
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I have witnessed that cleevr real estate agents almost everywhere are starting to warm up to FSBO Promoting. They are seeing that it’s not only placing a poster in the front yard. It’s really about building connections with these dealers who sooner or later will become customers. So, whenever you give your time and energy to supporting these retailers go it alone the Law regarding Reciprocity kicks in. Interesting blog post.
Hi Jennifer.
I love your flour and pancake mix. My sister sent me a big care package several months ago. We have used them and loved them all. Since you aren’t selling your flour and pancake mixes would you consider sharing the recipes with me. I would be happy to promise to not share them with anyone else.
Thanks for your consideration.
Have a great day!
Natalie
sorryto hear about your condition my husband and i miss you on blue bloods the show is not the same without you. best wishes.
I am SO glad that you’ve got this bakery going. I started getting tears in my eyes reading the blog. I have been gluten free for just over 4 months and it’s tough going sometimes. Thanks for all you’re doing to raise awareness of celiac disease!!
The girl and your friend Rick could probably sue the coffee place for battery…
Thank you, EarthFare, for providing ftsatnaic options for folks who deal with Celiac. My wife discovered she was wheat/gluten intolerant almost three years ago and, as the story above relates, many restaurant and grocery store employees are largely uninformed about Celiac and its repercussions. My wife and I are particularly grateful for EarthFare’s arrival in our small, college town (Auburn, AL) because it’s the one place where we know we can find quality products that fit within a gluten-free diet.Is there any chance your still might be willing to host a monthly meeting for a Celiac awareness group? There would be interest in our community in everything from recipes to health information.
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