Question for those of you getting mail order foods.

[Lucy]

Hi,

In the past, there have been some things written about some products having a rather long time to sit on the shelves at health food stores, so just thought I'd ask if those of you who order direct from manufacturers and other suppliers have noticed any difference in the freshness of what you're getting compared to the same products in your stores?

Things like our alternative flours, particularly the ones that have the shortest shelf-life anyway, would be of particular interest. Perhaps you can think of other items that would be good to compare as well in terms of freshness, and any other thing you've noticed that's better.

Thanks so much!
Yours, Luce

[tex]

I buy all my flour locally, these days, (and almost every thing else), because I've never had a problem with the quality of the stuff sold locally.

tex

[Carrie]

Hi Luce. A while ago I ordered Masa Harina (corn flour) from the Quaker Oats online hard-to-find products website. When it arrived, it was going out of code in only two weeks! So I gave half to a friend, along with a copy of Chi Chi's Sweet Corn Bread recipe (which was the only reason I needed the Masa Harina in the first place).

The only specialty flour I use now is rye as David likes homemade rye bread. I buy the flour at a local specialty store but always check the 'stale date" since the turnover just isn't as quick as in popular items at supermarkets.

Love,
Carrie

[Lucy]

Thanks everyone!

Wayne, you must have a very good healthfood store, not that I've personally had a problem with anything, YET, but then I always like to err on the side of caution.

Carrie, I like your word for the date, "stale date." Will have to start referring to it as that from now on. Can't even remember if the flours we get HAVE a stale date at the moment. I suppose that could be extended a little bit by refrigerating, and even longer in the freezer. Think the freezer is recommended in some of our literature on gf baking.

Carrie, I wish that you could come to Dallas for the seminar the first week of March! That way, I could get to meet you,

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what some of the other researchers have to say about the big study that's soon to be published. I do hope that it will be published in GUT, but other journals are probably as widely read by those in the field.

Anyway, you'll be a good candidate to get some direct feedback from the competition!
Would LOVE to be a fly on the wall in some of the other major GI institutions when this comes out! I suppose that they think that all these people just THINK they're having solid stools! Ha!

Anyway, this is supposed to be the largest hotel in the USA, but maybe it's the largest in the world, so I'm hoping that as many people as can afford it with this disease will come as the 8 yrs of research will be presented to this audience.

Once we get there, it will be like a vacation for me, in a way, because I'll not have to cook
as all my "allergens" will be off the menu for participants.

Also, I'll have a big place in which to roll Mom around in her wheelchair to watch the goings on, as well as a nice wheelchair friendly handicapped room, so that hopefully we'll not have to use the elevator to get to meetings or to eat. If we do, it should be just a short ride, like maybe one floor.

Since my sister plans to go along, that will give me some help with Mom, so that will be great too. I just can't imagine what it will be like getting to meet so many people all at one time, in one place, with the exact same illness!

Thanks!
Yours, Luce

[harvest_table]

Luce,

I get along just fine buying local, even here in Alaska. We don't buy much online other than tunes for Lannie's ipod and airline tickets.

Sounds like your planning on attending Dr. Fines seminar in March - that is just so great! A good time will be had by all, and the world will be a better place because of his findings. At least the health of us living and eating- and our children to follow. I predict like you, after he's published that the medical community (including my GI) will take us more seriously.

Love,
Joanna

[MaggieRedwings]

Hi Luce,

I used to do a lot a mail order but I have been able to find almost everything locally between Wegman's, Whole Foods and my local whole foods store. From Kinnibeck bread and rolls to great pastries buy a local baker known as Good Eatz. They make brownies, cakes and tart sized pies and awesome cookies. Have definitely eliminated those shipping charges.

Love, Maggie

[Carrie]

Hi Luce. I'd really love to meet you, too, but I'm afread I can't make Dallas in March as there is just too much happening. But I really hope the two of us will meet sometime in the not-too-distant future!!!

Love,
Carrie