UNION TRIBUNE
Gluten Not Included: healthy eats in Escondido
By Wolfgang D. Verkaaik
This story is all about caring. Deanna Smith, upon learning that her cousin Karlie was diagnosed with Celiac disease, was inspired to do some research on her condition in the hopes of making live a bit easier for her. She learned that Celiac is one of the most common genetic conditions in the world, a multi-symptom disorder activated by eating gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley.
So moving forward, Deanna started to do some baking using only brown rice, tapioca flour and eggs. Karlie loved it and soon word spread and other folks wanted to buy some of her products for loved ones with the same disorder. One thing led to another and Deanna took the next step and opened her Gluten Not Included (GNI) Bakery & Cafe earlier this year. Folks com from all over the county to enjoy (either to-go or on the premises) a variety of sandwiches, pizzas and baked treats - very tasty and glutenfree. (Clip today's coupon for extra savings!) Everything is made on the premises, including the crust for the pizzas,
When Deanna Smith's little cousin Karlie developed a severe rash a couple of years ago, the pediatrician put the 3-year-old on a gluten free diet. Watching Karlie's friends eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on"regular" bread while Karlie was stuck
with the gluten-free version convinced Deanna that there had to be a better solution. "The poor kid just would not eat the PB&J sandwiches made with the gluten free stuff," Deanna reported. "
She said the bread tasted awful." The more-or-less personal experience prompted Deanna, a marketing executive with her own Escondido-based firm, Hardline Media Solutions, to conduct her own market research on just what was available out there on gluten and gluten-free products.
