Gluten Free and Gorgeous


The Gluten Free Dilemma

May 28, 2013
I just got back from a holiday weekend in Vermont, and have spent time recently in Seattle, WA and Boulder, CO.  All of these places, including a small town in VERMONT had more obvious gluten-free options than in DC.  So what gives? How can a small resort town in Vermont be better? Ok, maybe better wasn't the best term to use, maybe easier is the correct term.  
But regardless, I found gluten free bread and GF pancakes (though not very good ones) at a small breakfast place in Manchester,VT.  Moreover, packaged GF cookies were on display at a local coffee shop and GF desserts (clearly labeled) were at a local Bistro.  Sometimes these small towns cater towards dietary restrictions for numerous reasons, usually due to the local population's preferences.  Similarly, Seattle and Boulder are known as more forward-thinking towns.  In the Fremont neighborhood of Seattle, there was a gluten-free, vegan bakery called the Flying Apron that had the best Ginger-Currant Scone imaginable.  I went every morning during my visit.  It was that good.  My non-GF friend couldn't get over how good it was either-- that's when you really know!
The short of it- I have to leave the capital city of the US to find some great GF finds.  I clearly haven't hit every restaurant in the city, but I'm constantly disappointed if I'm to be totally honest.  I've found my favorite baked good (The Caramel Blondie from Baked & Wired), but a go-to place for some gluten-free eats outside my house is still missing.  Why is DC so behind the curve? Am I missing something, some goldmine of a gluten-free restaurant? So many times an engine like Urbanspoon may label something gluten free.  The options on the menu? A salad.  If I wanted a salad, 9 out of 10 times I would just make it at home or get one from Sweetgreen or Chopt.      
 

It's been a while so bear with me...

February 8, 2013
This is gonna be a long one!

Snack update:
Remember those Quaker Chewy bars that always hit the spot when you were a kid? Well they've made a gluten-free one! Unfortunately, not Quaker :( Vans, the guys that bring you Eggo-style waffles that can brighten your morning also make a snack bar worthy for your tummy.  I give it 5 stars.

Beer:
Beer is just part of American culture, especially when you're in college.  I'm a HUGE fan of cider, but I know plenty of people with new gluten issues that just c...

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The search for a decent snack continues...

February 27, 2012
Any g-free foodie with a sweet tooth (aka me) struggles to find a decent snack that's sweet but not a candy bar, and something a little more fun than a cheese stick and a handful of almonds.  
And I think I might have found them! My class schedule means that lunch sometimes consists of a granola bar, but that gets boring.  I began to get a little more creative: with great results! First, I made these delicious zucchini chocolate chip muffins from Elana's Pantry.  She doesn't use cupcake liners...
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And I'm Back!

January 25, 2012
After a long hiatus from the gluten-free blogging world, I've made a couple of new discoveries that I think are important for the g-free world:

1. DC is in SERIOUS need of some better gluten-free restaurants! But let's be real- the nation's capital should step on it.  When I was living in Colorado, EVERYTHING had a gluten-free option. I'm in the process of compiling a list that includes restaurants with either a gluten-free menu or at least some options. But I HAVE to give a shout-out to the s...
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Maltodextrin

July 26, 2010
Out of all my years of research, no ingredient has held quite the mystery of maltodextrin.  My GI, GP and homeopathic doctors, as well as organizations such as the Celiac Society and publications like The Gluten Free Bible all say it is gluten free.  But in my search for gluten free cosmetics i'm finding more and more sources that suggest it isn't, because there is a low possibility it is derived from barley.  I don't know honestly, but I'm going to trust my doctors--so for all of you who are...
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The Never Ending Saga

July 19, 2010
Ok.  So I decided to really make this site (for those of you who actually utilize it) user friendly.  I'm doing this by going through ingredient lists on popular products and checking them for gluten.  That means, in some cases, typing in every long, scientific ingredient into google and checking its derivatives.  Ugh.  But, so far I'm learning that all Pantene products are gluten-free, but we'll see if that continues as I continue to tackle their ever-growing list of products.  I've really o...
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Update!

July 7, 2010
Well it has definitely been a while since I've updated the site!  I apologize to anyone who has been looking for great g-free products.  Over the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be focusing on getting some good facial products, as well as popular make-up brands, on the site.  Please stay tuned!

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Why do companies never know what's in their products?

April 20, 2010
I have two issues with the companies I've been researching during this project. 

First, most companies today have lists of their vegan or nut-free products, why not wheat?  Honestly, they should know EXACTLY what's going into their products.  It's a challenge to look at cosmetic labels when more than half of all of them are crazy scientific names I barely understand.  If I'm lucky the derived product will be in parenthesis.  Unfortunately, that's "if I'm lucky".  When I get the chance, I want...
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Gluten Free Eating

April 1, 2010
My posts seem to relate to food more often than cosmetics, maybe because I've already figured out which products work for me.  Yet while searching gluten free pizza parlors around my area, I was struck by how little representation we Celiacs have.  According to UrbanSpoon, gluten-free friendly entails available salads, not alternative dishes you would expect when dining at an upscale pizza joint or sit-down bistro.  Alas, few restaurants choose to spend time finding alternatives and mapping o...
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Bagels

March 1, 2010
Bagels are something that are really hard to fine a g-free replacement for because of their unique texture.  But I think after much trial and error, I've found a pretty great alternative.  Glutino's gluten-free bagels, I like the sesame ones, are super yummy.  Like most gluten-free food, it needs to be frozen, thawed and then toasted, but the process is well worth the result when you get to munch on a warm bagel and cream cheese like the rest of America.  It's been super hard for me in colleg...
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