GLUTEN-FREE LIVING LICKS STICKY SUBJECTS

I'm still making my way through the latest issue of Gluten-Free Living (Fall 2007), but it already strikes me as a keeper. I'm going to try to go over some of the highlights while not stepping on too many toes, and also take note of an opportunity to save on future issues of the magazine.

As you might recall, Gluten-Free Living has been in the forefront of using research to debunk myths about eating gluten-free, such as the unsupported fear of distilled liquor and most vinegars. In this issue of Gluten-Free Living, associate editor Amy Ratner investigates the issue of gluten in envelope and stamp glue. After contacting envelope glue manufacturers as well as the United States Postal Service, Ratner finds that both types of glue are gluten-free. So, if you're still using snailmail, worry no more about winding up like George's fiancée Susan on Seinfeld!

Elsewhere in the magazine, Ratner also covers opinions about the continuing issue of "gluten free" labeling. (I tend to concur with Bruce Ritter of Elisa Technologies, who favors identifying specific test results, such as "Contains less than 5 ppms of gluten," rather than simply using blanket statements such as "gluten free" or "low gluten," which are recommended by food industry interests including General Mills, as Ratner reports.)

The new issue also includes a remembrance of the late Bette Hagman, a mention of the New York City Celiac Disease Meetup Group (NYCCDMG), advice on fat in gluten-free diets from Tricia Thompson, cold weather recipes from Jacqueline Mallorca, and articles on "tricky" ingredients and healthy pregnancies by magazine founder Ann Whelan. Plus, there's a $1.50 coupon for Erewhon cereals!

Which brings me to the money-saving opportunity. The cost of the magazine is due to go up to $34/one year or $56/two years starting on January 1, 2008, so there's still time to subscribe at the current rate of $29/year or $49/two years. Supporting Gluten-Free Living supports its journalistic research, which plays an important role in addressing the day-to-day needs of gluten-free people. You might even want to bring the publication to the attention of area libraries that could add it to their holdings.

BETTE HAGMAN TRIBUTE: A FOLLOW-UP

Last month I mentioned that Seamaiden at Book of Yum was organizing a blogger tribute to the late Bette Hagman. Here it is—an impressive team effort that I'm sure her loved ones will appreciate.

PUMPKIN SOUP, BETTE HAGMAN STYLE

The first time I ever had pumpkin soup was in 1982, soon after I arrived in Wellington, New Zealand on tour with the Long Island Youth Orchestra. My host family welcomed me with a warm, soothing serving in a brown ceramic crock and left me with a memory I've long since associated with comfort and hospitality.

So as part of my effort to observe Seamaiden's blog event in honor of Bette Hagman, I was happy to try out the Gluten-Free Gourmet recipe for Pumpkin Soup. It's one of her simpler early recipes—basically calling for pumpkin, yam, and peanut butter(!)—so that helped, too. I made it even easier by (uncustomarily) taking some short cuts like using canned vegetables...and I think it still came out fine. I probably made a mistep by garnishing with dollops of yogurt instead of going with the suggested sour cream...and I think sour cream would've been more appropriate.

And now that I'm posting about this dish, I see that I didn't follow Seamaiden's guidelines to the letter, either. I didn't bake the soup, and I didn't take a picture of it with one or more flowers in the background. But I did dress it with a smile and googly eyes a la Amy Sedaris, which I hope is also in the spirit of the event.

So here's to Bette Hagman, with comforting thoughts for her loved ones.



















Photo: David Marc Fischer


ADDENDUM Because I hadn't baked anything, I didn't feel I was worthy of Erin's lovely "Baked in honor of Bette Hagman" image, but since she was kind enough to urge me to include it anyway, here it is.

IN MEMORY OF BETTE HAGMAN

In her book The Gluten-Free Gourmet (1990), Bette Hagman wrote

Fifteen years ago, as a newly diagnosed celiac, I was embarrassed to ask questions that might send my waitress or waiter back to the kitchen several times, and as a result I often received food that I had to leave untouched. Now I ask. I explain the reason for the questions, and most serving people have been obliging, sometimes bringing the cook to the table or taking me to the cook. I give the restaurant four stars in my book when the cook understands and makes me a plate that looks great, tastes great, and is completely gluten free. And the cook gets five stars when others in the restaurant look at my plate and wonder where I found that on the menu.

In The Gluten-Free Gourmet, Bette Hagman also wrote this about the gluten-free diet:

I don't think of it as a diet for life, I consider it a prescription for living.

After Bette's death last week, her daughter Karol offered the following statement:

Bette embraced everyone. She believed so much in us working together and spoke often about how to make that happen. She wanted to see cohesiveness amongst the groups. She understood the power in a single voice.

To that end, Karol has asked that memorial donations be made to the American Celiac Disease Alliance, "the national federation serving, representing, and advocating on behalf of the entire celiac community." Donations can be made online; "Memorial Donation for Bette Hagman" should be entered into the Notes section. Those wishing to donate by mail may send contributions to

American Celiac Disease Alliance
c/o GIG
31214 - 124 Ave SE
Auburn WA 98092.

All donations will support the efforts of the ACDA in representing a unified voice for the celiac community. All donations are tax-deductible. ACDA is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.

Also in memory of Bette Hagman, Seamaiden of Book of Yum has started a tribute requesting that people prepare and photograph a Hagman dish for forwarding to Karol. And, over at LiveJournal, DeWinged Pixie encourages people to wear green or an otherwise appropriate article of clothing on Friday.

BEST WISHES TO BETTE

About six hours after I posted in this space, word came that Bette Hagman had passed away. Cynthia Kupper of the Gluten Intolerance Group wrote the following:

It is with great sadness that I inform you that Bette Hagman passed away quietly this afternoon at home. I took her nearly a hundred good wishes messages yesterday. She was pleased to get them and she and the caregiver were reading them before I left. They brought smiles and tears to her. They were exactly what she needed. Any messages that continue to come in will be given to her daughter.

Thank you all for your kindness and support for Bette. I know both she and her daughter appreciated it very much. Bette inspired and helped more people than she will ever know. We will miss her.

Messages for Bette Hagman's daughter Karol can still be sent to any of the addresses listed below.

The work of gluten-free cookbook pioneer Bette Hagman (pictured in this article) has been celebrated by the CeliacChicks and Ellen Allard of I Am Gluten Free among countless others who have pored over her recipes and other writings over the years. Hagman's reach is far: A lecturer and longtime member of the Seattle-based Gluten Intolerance Group, she is also listed as a Contributing Editor of the Westchester-based magazine Gluten-Free Living.

If you have any favorite Bette Hagman recipes or anecdotes, this is a good time to share them with her, as per this letter from Cynthia Kupper of the Gluten Intolerance Group.

Dear gluten-free friends;

It is with sadness and a heavy heart that I share this news and ask for your support - one last time - for a dear, sweet lady - Bette Hagman.

Bette Hagman is seriously ill. She is trying to be strong by is weakening quickly by this illness.

We want Bette, the author of the Gluten Free Gourmet series of cookbooks, to know how much she has done to make a difference in the gluten-free diet by pioneering great tasting gluten-free foods.

Bette reads every card and note that comes to her. We want her to know she is not forgotten and her work is appreciated. Please consider sending your thoughts, emails and cards to Bette via the GIG office. We will deliver them to her daily. Please act now. Let her know how much we appreciate her.

Send your notes and cards to:

Bette Hagman
c/o GIG
31214 - 124 Ave SE
Auburn WA 98092-3667

Or send an email to: gig@gluten.net. In the subject line put: For Bette Hagman

You may also fax a note to: 253-833-6675

Please keep Bette and her daughter Karole in your thoughts and prayers.

Cynthia Kupper, RD, CD
Executive Director
Gluten Intolerance Group of North America

For related coverage, see Gluten Free Gobsmacked and Gluten-Free Fun.