Published in The Beacon,
Sunday, December 18, 2005, Norfolk, VA
"Baker has enterprise recipe with
gluten-free goodies" By Kim Cox, The
Virginian-Pilot
Princess Anne -- Pasqualina
Hamilton knew there was a way for her husband, David, and others to
enjoy a sweet world denied to them because of Celiac
disease.
The chronic digestive disorder, which
damages the small intestine, is caused by an immunological reaction
to the consumption of gluten -- a food component found in
wheat, rye, barley, and other related grains.
Determined to help Celiac sufferers
discover baked goods denied to them, Hamilton, 48, created
gluten-free goodies. The treats were so good that family and
friends encouraged Hamilton to sell them.
From that inspiration Pasqualina's
Gluten-Free Goodies was formed in May. The treats are sold via
Hamilton's Web site and at Terra Nova, a health food store on Laskin
Road.
The products include chocolate chip
cookies, chocolate fudge cookies, anise biscotti, brownies,
ginger-spiced cookies and other custom-baked goods.
"I have always loved to bake. After
marrying my husband, David, who has wheat allergies, I converted all
my recipes to gluten-free, staying focused on keeping the same
consistency and taste of the old recipes," the Castleton resident
said.
Hamilton uses gluten-free ingredients,
including rice flour, potato starch and tapioca flours, and tests
each recipe to achieve the consistency and flavor of regular baked
goods. The anise biscotti she makes is adapted from her
grandmother's recipe. "I strive for a good taste in my baked
goods so that they don't taste like the prepackaged gluten-free
products on the market today," Hamilton said.
A sampler pack of anise biscotti,
brownies and cookies sells for $13 at her Web site, href="http://www.pasqualinas.com">www.pasqualinas.com. A
12-pack of the biscotti sells for $9.
Andrea Marshall, who is co-owner of Terra
Nova, said, "I think they are the best gluten-free pastries I've
ever tasted. We sell many national brands, but they aren't as
fresh or so delicious. You don't even even realize they are
gluten free." Una Marcotte, who follows a wheat- and
gluten-free diet, said she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, only to
discover later that she actually has a wheat allergy. Marcotte
said she met Hamilton and started buying her products.
"I feel like I am eating something with
wheat in it," the Oceanfront resident said.
"It is so nice to be able to enjoy the
goodies and not have to worry about the repercussions and feel
deprived," Marcotte said.
* For more information on ordering
Pasqualina's Gluten-Free Goodies, call (877) 231-1617, or go to href="http://www.pasqualinas.com">www.pasqualinas.com.
Terra Nova is at 1805 Laskin Road. * Reach beacon correspondent Kim
Cox at href="mailto:Paws07@aol.com">Paws07@aol.com.
clear=all> | 
