Gluten-Free

July 2015: Chex Honey Nut Granola Mix

“Each morning we are born again. What we do today is what matters most.” -Buddha

Each day is a new day. A chance to meet someone new or try something new. An opportunity to tackle a problem or accomplish a goal. A new beginning to make a change. To make the most of each precious day, you need to start off your day right. And we’ve all read the magazine articles, seen it all over the internet, and heard it from our friends and family: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. And lucky for us, the most important meal is also the trickiest meal for those of us who steer clear from gluten.

I have always struggled to find good gluten-free breakfast options. Let me rephrase that, I have always struggled to find healthy and tasty gluten-free breakfast options. Yes, there are some decent cinnamon and chocolate gluten-free donuts in the freezer aisle, but as far as truly delicious cereals and granolas that are good for you? Oh, please! That is until just a few weeks ago I discovered Chex Honey Nut Granola– I’ve been eating it every morning since with 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk. This granola has a great nutty texture with Chex squares, almonds, and nut clusters and just a bit of honey to sweeten it up, making a truly a satisfying breakfast. I was immediately reminded of my childhood eating Honey Bunches of Oats every morning– something I have not been able to indulge in since I was diagnosed with Celiac. I do like the Chocolate and Cinnamon Chex cereals as well, however, this is by far the best gluten-free granola I’ve had! And no cholesterol and only 1 gram of saturated fat! And if you’re not a fan of the Honey Nut Chex cereal (like me), do try this granola, you won’t regret it! There’s also a Mixed Berry Almond variety of this granola that I haven’t been able to get my hands on, but do comment and let me know if you have!

What are your favorite gluten-free granolas and cereal? Comment below!

Cheers,

Anika

Scientists Develop Pill That Could Let Celiacs Eat Gluten

Hello friends! My summer hiatus has gone far too long– look out for a string for blog posts this upcoming week.

Let’s start with some very exciting news! I found a very interesting article on IFL Science about the development of a pill for people with celiac disease similar to the Lactaid pills for those who are lactose intolerant. Fingers crossed that product will be on the shelves in just a few years!

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Scientists Develop Pill That Could Let Celiacs Eat Gluten

Scientists create a pill that would reduce the damage to the guts from eating gluten in Celiacs

iflscience.com | By Justine Alford

Snap Custom Pizza

Hello, fellow gluten-free eaters! Things are starting to look up – summer is right around the corner – endless sunshine, Capri’s water ice, and family vacations. As I finish up the tail-end of tests and exams, I’ve discovered some great new eateries around the area. Being a teenager myself, I like to think pizza is a main/the-most-important food group for all teenagers alike (and its not just me, right?).

Snap Custom Pizza is a relatively new pizza place in Ardmore. I can’t say I have actually been in person, however I felt the need to write about it simply after eating their gluten-free pizza. Yes, they have a gluten-free crust option with only a $1 additional charge. I have to say, that is the smallest minimum charge I’ve ever seen – honestly it’s outrageous how much extra items can cost when they are gluten-free. Anyways, during crunch time for exams, I tried a delicious Farmer’s Market Pizza. Garlic, mozzarella, mushrooms, roasted peppers, arugula, cherry tomatoes, ricotta on a thin, crispy, and yummy gluten-free crust– the whole deal. Now that might not be everyone’s cup of tea, and yes, they do have many other prefixed options, however what they are really known for is their custom pizza. It essentially takes six easy steps to create your ideal pizza: choose a foundation, pick a sauce, choose your cheeses, add some protein, throw on your vegetables, and finally garnish with finishing touched. It’s that easy. And for a set price! And we all know we have certain foods we just aren’t a huge fan of and certain toppings that we can’t stand on pizza, hence making a custom pizza sounds a like a dream come true (at least I think it does!).

Going back to the crust for a minute, just a note, I really enjoyed the crust! And it can be hard to find good gluten-free crusts, however if you’re not a fan of thin crusts, I would not recommend this. No, it’s not as thing as the crust from Jules Thin Crust Pizza, however it is quite similar to Udi’s Pizza Crust in thickness. Not necessarily a bad thing or a good thing, but rather something to keep in mind.

Anyways, I’m going to keep this short and sweet, definitely a great place with great pizza!

Cheers,

Anika

April 2015: Tonya’s Kitchen Original Soft Pretzels

Happy belated National Pretzel Day! Missed it by just a few days (but can you blame me? I have yet to find a calendar that has this holiday!), but thankfully I just made in time for National Pretzel Month. In addition to birthdays in my family, the start of spring, the return of Rita’s water ice, and the beginning to the oh-so-hellish end of the academic year, April marks the wonderful celebration of National Pretzel Month. As a fellow gluten-free foodie, I promise, there is much to celebrate when it comes to gluten-free pretzels.

Let me start with the classic pretzel twists and rods, Glutino and Snyder’s GF pretzels are my two favorite when it comes to old-fashioned pretzels. They’re great on their own, with some Sriracha hummus, or even to make those wacky little edible Halloween spiders that kids get weirdly excited about (you know, the ones made from two crackers as the body, 8 pretzels for the legs, raisins as eyes, and some peanut butter to hold it all together?). As for “dessert” pretzels or pretzels for those you with a mean sweet tooth, Glutino has great chocolate covered pretzels: chocolate fudge, yogurt, and peppermint yogurt– I whole-heartedly vouch for all three flavors! As for my most recent discovery, a new branch of the gluten-free pretzel family: warm n’ delicious of pretzels.

I don’t know this for a fact, but until I see anything that proves the contrary, I’m going to assume it to be fact. Tonya’s Kitchen GF Soft Pretzels are the only gluten-free soft pretzels I had ever seen, found, bought, or eaten. Ever. These scrumptious little savory treats are hand-twisted buttery delights! As a source a of validation, I can honestly say my mom thinks they are up to par with Auntie Anne’s soft pretzels. As for me, not having eaten a soft-pretzel in years (or even in lifetimes?), I don’t exactly recall what my expectations were– maybe hard or dry or discolored, or disfigured or simply lacking the original soft pretzel taste. But this, this exceeded any possible expectations I could have had. Possibly, or quite probably, my new favorite gluten-free product (huh, maybe that’s why this is the product of the month?). If you adore cute, little packets of salt to add to your liking and not ginormous and not minuscule but rather “normal” sized gluten-free food and you want to taste an out-of-this-world gluten-free soft world (a phenomenon I wouldn’t have believed existed until this month), then do yourself a favor and try Tonya’s GF soft pretzels! And if salty or savory foods aren’t your thing, Tonya’s Kitchen also has GF Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels ! I haven’t tried them yet, but if y’all try it out first, please let me know how it is.

Until next year #nationalpretzelmonth!

Cheers!

Anika

New [Artful] Adventures

URBN. A company that comprises of brands such as Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, BHLDN, and Terrain. Extremely appealing lifestyle-centric shopping experience. Eclectic. Vintage. Global. Bold. Youthful. Creative. Sensuous. Inspiring.

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This past week I had the great pleasure of visiting and touring the Urban Outfitters Headquarters in Philadelphia. As a loyal Anthropologie customer and Free People enthusiast, this was truly an exciting and special experience. Let me start by saying this is not an ordinary business. Overflowing with creativity and filled with passion, each URBN buildings had its own “quirky” personality. From Buddha statues to a coi fish pond, modern art lining the walls to umbrellas with embroidered Indian fabrics, you can’t help but secretly (or not so secretly) wishing you worked there.

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So this is all wonderful, you may be thinking, but what does this have to do with eating gluten-free? Well the truly forward-thinking atmosphere created here at URBN doesn’t end in the workplace- the cafeteria (also open to public) was health-conscious in every aspect (I’m not kidding– there was even a gym in there).

The cafeteria was divided into 6 stations where you can find everything from a black rice rainbow roll to caprese sandwiches to teriyaki stir-fry. There were signs and labels around the cafeteria marking vegan, gluten-free, and vegetarian options, and many of the pre-packaged items were “Whole-Foods-like” products. I had a spicy tuna roll, gluten-free peanut butter cookie, and Lima Lemon Bai. Honestly, what more can a girl want?! In addition to the terrific food, the cafeteria also shared the same eclectic architecture and decor that URBN’s brands promote.

So if you’re in the city and have an urge to check out the Urban Outfitters Headquarters, I’d say you can’t leave without eating a meal there as well!

Cheers,

Anika

March 2015: Luna Bars

Whether it has passed or is yet to come, I wish you all a very happy spring break! Hopefully you’re one of the smarter ones who migrated to a warmer climate and currently are lying on a beach in Miami with a strawberry daiquiri in hand. If not, I wish you the best of luck as you brace yourselves against the cold front in the north– I suggest a ski mask.

This month’s product is one of my favorite go-t0-any-time-of-the-day-snacks and is a much overdue product of the month: Luna Bars. There aren’t enough words to express the rush of emotions I felt when I saw the little pink stamp on Luna Bars officially certifying them as “gluten-free”. It’s a wonder how impactful the small things in life can be.

Twitter GF Luna Bars

Luna Bars are now a staple part of my diet. Previously, I bought Luna Protein Bars on occasion, as they were already declared as being gluten-free, however with newly-granted access to all Luna flavors, there is simply no reason to resist. With the oats being gluten-free certified, Luna Bars are something I insist everyone with celiac, eating gluten-free, and anyone who likes a delicious AND healthy snack try. And yes, even men. I promise this whole nutrition bar for women is not just for women. From white chocolate macadamia to honey salted peanut to carrot cake, there is a flavor (or two, or three, or nine) for everyone. For first timers, the lemon zest bar is a Luna classic- a great first Luna Bar. From there, the world is your oyster. Explore you local grocery store and check out a Wegmans, Whole Foods, etc. to find even great variety in flavors. I’m still trying to get my hands on all 13 original Luna flavors and the 6 protein bars!

Cheers,

Anika

Time to Give Thanks

 “There is no sincerer love than the love of food.”

It is the season to give thanks. To express your gratitude to the people that surround you for their unwavering and relentless love through your struggles and successes. To feel grateful for waking up each morning with a new day on the horizon. To not take for granted shelter and warmth, your health, and the food on the table before you. It’s time to travel near or far to gather together with friends and family to appreciate what you have in your life.

And of course, to enjoy a feast.

Thanksgiving is a day full of love. Love for the lovely people cooking up a storm in the kitchen. But more so, love for the  storm that is annually cooked up in the kitchen. Who doesn’t love Thanksgiving dinner? It’s filled with carcinogenic turkey, thick homemade gravy, seasonal sweet pumpkin pie, and many other holiday favorites. But what about those of us who are gluten-free? With these recipes and trading out a few ingredients, you can enjoy all your favorite traditional dishes without compromising on the taste and flavor!

Let’s start with the stuffing. It is an integral part of the Thanksgiving meal- and an easy swap to make it gluten-free. Most stuffing recipes call for diced bread, so simply switch the wheat-based bread with a gluten-free option. Udi’s GF White or Multigrain Bread would be substitute. Alternatively, you could make gluten-free cornbread and use cornbread in the stuffing.

What is turkey without gravy? Nearly every gravy recipe out there calls for wheat or all-purpose flour. The flour is what gives the gravy its thick texture. However, every Thanksgiving, I whip up some gluten-free gravy using Simply Organic’s Brown Gravy Seasoning Mix. I swear by it- it’s easy, flavorful, and gluten-free.

A staple part of the Thanksgiving diet, and the most important in my humble opinion, is dessert. Typically, you can find me indulging in a slice of pumpkin, apple, and and/or pecan pie. And it’s easy as pie to make gluten-free. You can make a nut-based crust or just buy Wholes Foods Gluten-Free Bakehouse’s Pie Crust. It’s a frozen, remade gluten-free crust that I have used every year for pumpkin and pecan pies! Or if you’re not a big fan of pie, I have a great pumpkin bread pudding recipe that turned out really well last Thanksgiving.

In addition to these swaps, you can try making my cheesy green bean casserole, which always makes an appearance at the Thanksgiving table, or candied sweet potatoes, which is always a family favorite.

And remember, be thankful for the delicious gluten-free meal you’re going to devour on Thursday!

Cheers!

Anika

November 2014: Pamela’s Cornbread & Muffin Mix

With the holidays right around the corner, it’s time to gather your supplies to make a delicious, gluten-free Thanksgiving meal. Yes, that’s right- you can make lavish Thanksgiving dinner completely gluten-free. No more skipping out on the green bean casserole or stuffing, or the pumpkin bread pudding or gravy. This year, enjoy the feast with your family!

Last weekend, I baked a batch of corn muffins using Pamela’s Cornbread & Muffin Bread. Cornbread is one of those funny things. If you’re just beginning your journey exploring the world of cooking, you may not have known that some cornbread recipes like to sneak in a cup of all-purpose flour. So its not always gluten-free. Actually, most cornbread recipes* contain gluten, hence the gluten-free cornbread mixes. If you want good old traditional corn bread, this is the mix to use. The texture is on the grainer side, and the taste is on the savory side. Although it was neither particularly moist or fluffy, this is hands down my favorite cornbread mix. It would be the perfect addition to your Thanksgiving meal.

Just a couple of tips and suggestions. First off, if you are looking for a sweeter variation, make a batch of corn muffins with some Crasins or dried fruit to add a hint of sweetness. Secondly, whether you bake cornbread or muffins, don’t make them too prematurely. After two or three days, they don’t retain the same degree of freshness and begin to dry out. You can always heat them up, but fresh baked goods are always the best baked goods! Thirdly, if you’re looking for something similar to grandma’s buttermilk cornbread, this isn’t probably isn’t the right mix for you.

Happy baking!

Cheers,

Anika

*I should be more specific. Most authentic southern cornbread recipes don’t use any flour, but given that I live in the northeast, it is a problem that I face.

White Dog Cafe

Meal #1

After an early morning crew practice, I was treated out to a brunch at the White Dog Café in Philadelphia. I had previously been to the branch in the suburbs, but this was my first time going to the original White Dog! I loved the city location and atmosphere, but one of the greatest highlights was the convenience in terms of gluten-free options. Their select brunch menu clearly labeled all gluten-free options. I had a spinach salad with gilled chicken, honey-glazed almonds, golden raisins, and vinaigrette. I also ordered a hot-spiced chai tea, which was perfect for the weather. Overall, a great restaurant with unique options that I am glad to be able to try!

Meal #2

When dining at White Dog on a Saturday night, I was treated to some new dishes that I had not tried before! As the weather is getting warmer, I went for my usual spinach salad with White Dog’s iced tea (I would recommend it—it comes in a Mason Jar!). But after my main meal was the real treat. I tried two incredible ice cream flavors, and a strangely appetizing sorbet. The maple walnut ice cream was delicious, but I favored the honey ice cream. As for the sorbet, I had avocado sorbet! It was unlike anything I had tasted before. For those who are adventurous in their food choices, but typically held back when its not gluten-free, I strongly recommend these desserts on warm day!

Cheers!

Anika

Gluten-free bread rolls now served at the White Dog in Wayne