I've been kind of slow on updating this. But I've been kind of busy lately and haven't had a whole lot of new information either. However, we did go on vacation a couple weeks ago to Philadelphia and I have some interesting information to pass on.
First I have to say, we loved Philly (we can call it that because we've been there). We also went to Hershey and Lancaster County. If you're considering it and looking for activities to do (or not do), let me know. I won't post them all here, but it was a great vacation!
I was looking into GF places to eat in Philly before going. I figured since it was a large city with a diverse population there would be more options than you tend to find around Kansas. I hadn't had a whole lot of luck until I found a Facebook page called Living Simply Gluten Free Philadelphia. It's awesome because it has a whole bunch of information about places to go. Since I only found this website about a week before we left, I decided to email them to find out their best suggestions without having to go through all the information. And they came through big time! The creator of the website wanted to know my preferences. Then she sent me a big list of places based on the budget I told her and our favorite types of food and where we were staying. It was so great!
Because of our time constraints, we only got to two places that had GF options. Most of my meals were hot dogs with no bun which is not exciting or healthy. The first place we tried was Giorgio On Pine. It was fantastic! We had a stuffed portobello appetizer. I had the gluten free prosciutto and arugula pizza. My husband took one for the team and had GF spaghetti so that I could try it. It was good stuff! The portobello was probably my favorite. And we had creme brule for dessert.
We also stopped at Sweet Freedom Bakery. I picked up several items to take along and try. I had two different cookie sandwiches, a vanilla cupcake, and a samoa cupcake. My favorite, by far, was the samoa cupcake.
Hershey was, of course, a great place. I love candy and I can eat almost everything they make. Can't go wrong there.
Lancaster County was hard. It's known for it's Amish community so everywhere you go there are homemade pies, breads, whoopie pies, cookies, etc. I managed to avoid most of it. I did have a small piece of bread because I wanted to try the fresh butter at one place we stopped. If you are there, definitely get the Lapp Valley Farm ice cream. I don't think there are words to describe how amazing this ice cream was! We had chocolate marshmallow. If I could have brought it home, I would have!
That's just a quick update. I guess the best thing I learned is that if you are planning on going somewhere and can find some sort of web page like I did, don't be afraid to ask! I would never have found Giorgio had I not asked and it was good!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Wild Thyme Cafe & Bakery
I had heard about a place in Wichita called Wild Thyme Cafe & Bakery so I decided to stop by and try some baked goods this weekend. I got a frosted sugar cookie, brownie, and a dinner roll. There wasn't much selection when I got there because it was like 3:50 on Saturday afternoon and they close at 4 for the weekend.
This is half the cookie I got. It was a butterfly. I decided that I should take a picture of it before I ate it all. It is AMAZING! I highly recommend their sugar cookies. The cookie was a basic sugar cookie taste. But the frosting is wonderful. It has a really good flavor with a hint of lemon maybe. YUMMY! I also have to say that I enjoy the cookie being decorated so beautifully. Some things that are gluten free are not appetizing to look at let alone eat. So it feels good to have a place to get beautiful and delicious treats. If you are ever near Wild Thyme you have to stop. I have not had a chance to try my brownie or roll. Both smell good if that counts.
I got a copy of the menu and they have salads that come with gluten free bread. They can also make several types of sandwiches with gluten free bread. It also says that they have cupcakes, cookies, bars, brownies, pies, and cakes they can make gluten free. I'm assuming that since gluten free is just an option and not the norm that most of this stuff is exposed to cross-contamination with regular wheat flour. So be aware of that.
I'm definitely looking forward to going back and trying other things.
I also stopped at Whole Foods in Wichita. Not the real Whole Foods but a locally owned chain in Wichita. They have a HUGE selection of gluten free products if you haven't stopped there.
I also read about an interesting product in a magazine this week. They are called No Oodles. They are noodles made from yam flour and are gluten free and apparently have no calories. I'd like to try these too but they are only available at select stores right now. I believe the closest one is the real Whole Foods in Kansas City (not the chain of Whole Foods in Wichita). I'm hoping to get there in a couple weeks. I'm also interested to see what that chain of Whole Foods has available for gluten free products. I've read they have a good selection also.
I got a copy of the menu and they have salads that come with gluten free bread. They can also make several types of sandwiches with gluten free bread. It also says that they have cupcakes, cookies, bars, brownies, pies, and cakes they can make gluten free. I'm assuming that since gluten free is just an option and not the norm that most of this stuff is exposed to cross-contamination with regular wheat flour. So be aware of that.
I'm definitely looking forward to going back and trying other things.
I also stopped at Whole Foods in Wichita. Not the real Whole Foods but a locally owned chain in Wichita. They have a HUGE selection of gluten free products if you haven't stopped there.
I also read about an interesting product in a magazine this week. They are called No Oodles. They are noodles made from yam flour and are gluten free and apparently have no calories. I'd like to try these too but they are only available at select stores right now. I believe the closest one is the real Whole Foods in Kansas City (not the chain of Whole Foods in Wichita). I'm hoping to get there in a couple weeks. I'm also interested to see what that chain of Whole Foods has available for gluten free products. I've read they have a good selection also.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
An Interesting Dilemma
Tonight I had an interesting problem. I think it's one of those things only people who eat gluten free food might understand. I don't even know if they would understand.
I decided to make macaroni and cheese for supper. When I started eating gluten free I had some boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese that I couldn't eat anymore but I kept them to use the cheese flavoring with my gluten free pasta. I decided I'd use one of those tonight. I got to the step where you put the cheese packet on and when I dumped it out, three worms fell out into my pasta. Totally disgusting, right? Normally I'd just throw the whole pot of pasta away but now I have an interesting dilemma. First, I spent almost 15 minutes boiling these noodles because gluten free pasta takes longer than regular pasta. Second, I'm starving because it's almost 6:30. Third, gluten free noodles are expensive. I used almost half a bag which is probably $3. They're not 50 cents a box like glutenous pasta. And fourth, I can't just go to Subway and get a sandwich instead so I'm kind of stuck.
So I decided I'd just pick the worms out and make my pasta anyway. I got two out okay but lost the third in the pot somewhere. Now I have an even bigger problem. I was really looking forward to this macaroni and cheese. I finished making the mac & cheese and decided to eat it anyway. I'm assuming that the worm got cooked in the pot, right? I picked around at it tonight and didn't find the worm in tonight's serving so I guess at lunch tomorrow I'll have to look extra close again. I guess if I don't ever find it, I ate it. People in other countries eat insects all the time. It was a tiny worm so it can't be that bad. You're probably alll gagging right now.
After I started thinking about what had happened I realized I probably seem totally crazy for doing that. But that was some goooood mac & cheese. I haven't had mac & cheese in quite awhile so it's worth it. The only semi-good way I can come up with to rationalize this is that the last few weeks have been totally crazy and my brain is fried. How ridiculous has my life become when I decide it's okay to eat macaroni & cheese with worms in it?
I decided to make macaroni and cheese for supper. When I started eating gluten free I had some boxes of Kraft Mac & Cheese that I couldn't eat anymore but I kept them to use the cheese flavoring with my gluten free pasta. I decided I'd use one of those tonight. I got to the step where you put the cheese packet on and when I dumped it out, three worms fell out into my pasta. Totally disgusting, right? Normally I'd just throw the whole pot of pasta away but now I have an interesting dilemma. First, I spent almost 15 minutes boiling these noodles because gluten free pasta takes longer than regular pasta. Second, I'm starving because it's almost 6:30. Third, gluten free noodles are expensive. I used almost half a bag which is probably $3. They're not 50 cents a box like glutenous pasta. And fourth, I can't just go to Subway and get a sandwich instead so I'm kind of stuck.
So I decided I'd just pick the worms out and make my pasta anyway. I got two out okay but lost the third in the pot somewhere. Now I have an even bigger problem. I was really looking forward to this macaroni and cheese. I finished making the mac & cheese and decided to eat it anyway. I'm assuming that the worm got cooked in the pot, right? I picked around at it tonight and didn't find the worm in tonight's serving so I guess at lunch tomorrow I'll have to look extra close again. I guess if I don't ever find it, I ate it. People in other countries eat insects all the time. It was a tiny worm so it can't be that bad. You're probably alll gagging right now.
After I started thinking about what had happened I realized I probably seem totally crazy for doing that. But that was some goooood mac & cheese. I haven't had mac & cheese in quite awhile so it's worth it. The only semi-good way I can come up with to rationalize this is that the last few weeks have been totally crazy and my brain is fried. How ridiculous has my life become when I decide it's okay to eat macaroni & cheese with worms in it?
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Convention
Yesterday I found the dorkiest thing ever! It's a whole convention about gluten free stuff! And I kind of want to go! Here's a link to the website if you are interested. Gluten Free Expo It's in Dallas in October and I keep trying to convince my husband to go with me but I don't think I'm getting anywhere. It looks interesting. One of the speakers scheduled in Chicago is the Cake Doctor whom I love. And I think the vendor fair would be great. It'd be nice to taste stuff and make notes on what's good instead of having to buy stuff and find out if it's good after baking it. So we'll see. I really think I might go. We'll see if I get my husband talked into going with me.
I found something else I really like. I've been looking for a good pizza crust. I found some Udi's pizza crusts a couple weeks ago at Green Acres and they are really good. They are the best we've had so far. Like most gluten free things they are fairly small and fairly expensive for two crusts but they taste really good. So if you can find them near you, try them out.
We made another batch of confetti cupcakes tonight. They were the first baked good I've eaten in two months. We just don't bake stuff very often because then we have to eat it by ourselves. And people have brought stuff to work or church but I can't eat any of it. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed that cupcake. It's amazing how much I miss stuff like that. I eat a lot of chocolate instead but nothing beats a good cupcake.
I found something else I really like. I've been looking for a good pizza crust. I found some Udi's pizza crusts a couple weeks ago at Green Acres and they are really good. They are the best we've had so far. Like most gluten free things they are fairly small and fairly expensive for two crusts but they taste really good. So if you can find them near you, try them out.
We made another batch of confetti cupcakes tonight. They were the first baked good I've eaten in two months. We just don't bake stuff very often because then we have to eat it by ourselves. And people have brought stuff to work or church but I can't eat any of it. Needless to say, I thoroughly enjoyed that cupcake. It's amazing how much I miss stuff like that. I eat a lot of chocolate instead but nothing beats a good cupcake.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Chebe Sticks
I've been meaning to post this for awhile now but I've been kind of busy at work so that hasn't happened. A couple weeks ago we had some soup for supper and since I can't put crackers in my soup I like to have something else I can use to soak up the soup. Kent made these Chebe sticks for me and they were really good. We had garlic and onion with cheddar cheese. I tore them into pieces and put them in my soup like crackers and they were really good that way. They are also good plain. Here's a link to the Chebe website. They have several other gluten free products. I'm looking forward to having more breadsticks. Kent said they were also easy to make. Just mix them up, shape into sticks and bake.
Kent was gone a few days this last week and I was working late. Normally on days like those I stop by Subway or Pizza Hut on my way home to get myself supper. I was driving home and was so hungry and I remembered how easy it used to be to grab a cheese pizza. That made me sad. I really miss pizza and subs. So I came home and made myself a gluten free grilled cheese. It's one of the first times I've really missed being able to eat those types of things.
Kent was gone a few days this last week and I was working late. Normally on days like those I stop by Subway or Pizza Hut on my way home to get myself supper. I was driving home and was so hungry and I remembered how easy it used to be to grab a cheese pizza. That made me sad. I really miss pizza and subs. So I came home and made myself a gluten free grilled cheese. It's one of the first times I've really missed being able to eat those types of things.
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Easy Recipe
I was sitting here thinking of things I could make for supper and I thought of this recipe and though I should share it. It's a Hamburger Helper-style recipe that uses gluten free noodles. It would also be good with regular noodles but those of us that occasionally rely on the simpleness of Hamburger Helper and have had to quit, it's a good substitute. I got it from a recipe book called "Wheat-Free, Gluten-Free Cookbook for Kids and Busy Adults".
Skillet Supper
1 lb. ground beef
2 cups water
1 15 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
1 tsp. oregano
2 cups gluten free elbow macaroni
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. When meat is browned, stir in the water, spaghetti sauce, and oregano. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Stir in macaroni. Cover the pan and simmer for 6 minutes until macaroni is just cooked, stirring frequently. Stir in cheeses. Cover pan and let stand for 1 minute or until cheese is melted.
In my first experience with this recipe we discovered that the noodles really need more than 6-7 minutes to become tender. Great for leftovers!
Skillet Supper
1 lb. ground beef
2 cups water
1 15 ounce jar spaghetti sauce
1 tsp. oregano
2 cups gluten free elbow macaroni
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
3/4 cup grated Parmesan
1. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium-high heat. When meat is browned, stir in the water, spaghetti sauce, and oregano. Bring to a simmer over medium heat.
2. Stir in macaroni. Cover the pan and simmer for 6 minutes until macaroni is just cooked, stirring frequently. Stir in cheeses. Cover pan and let stand for 1 minute or until cheese is melted.
In my first experience with this recipe we discovered that the noodles really need more than 6-7 minutes to become tender. Great for leftovers!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Birthday Treats!
My birthday was last week and it's tradition for me to take treats to work. Normally it's funfetti cupcakes with rainbow chip frosting. Obviously I can't have that anymore. So as mentioned before, my husband made me confetti cupcakes with rainbow chip frosting from Anne Byrn's The Cake Mix Doctor Bakes Gluten Free and they were awesome! You couldn't even tell they were gluten free. If I remember correctly he just added some sour cream, orange juice, and pudding. The confetti is decorator sprinkles that melt when you bake them. And you might notice they were in princess cupcake wrappers. A not so subtle insult from Kent.
Along with the cupcakes, I tried making gluten free bread this week. Actually Kent baked it. It's so good. It took longer to rise than the recipe said it would but it came out in the end. It's white bread. We've toasted it to eat with soup since saltines are out. We also made garlic bread out of it and Kent used it for a grilled cheese. I highly recommend this particular brand. As you will notice it's over halfway gone. I got it at Green Acres in Wichita but I'm sure it's available elsewhere.
Along with the cupcakes, I tried making gluten free bread this week. Actually Kent baked it. It's so good. It took longer to rise than the recipe said it would but it came out in the end. It's white bread. We've toasted it to eat with soup since saltines are out. We also made garlic bread out of it and Kent used it for a grilled cheese. I highly recommend this particular brand. As you will notice it's over halfway gone. I got it at Green Acres in Wichita but I'm sure it's available elsewhere.
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