EAT: California Pizza Kitchen

Delicious Gluten Free Pizza?!? I have not had a "real" pizza in over 12 years. I miss them. But, I have had frozen cardboard pizzas and sausage crust pizza (thank you, Lou Malnati's!). They do not quite compare to "real" pizza. You know, the glutenous, ooey, gooey, yummy pizzas everyone else can eat. However, California Pizza Kitchen is looking out for us! I had been hesitant to try one of their gluten free pizzas. What if they make them in the same place as the gluten ones? What if they use the same toppings as the gluten ones? Nope! California Pizza Kitchen has a separate space and separate ingredients for its gluten free pizzas. They have worked with The Gluten Intolerance Group (GIG) to create strict procedures to follow. I also like the "Gluten Free" stick in each pizza to designate and verify that it is gluten free!

I have only tried the Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza (when you like, why order something else?) and it is delish. I have eaten safely at several locations, however, my only issue seems to be cooking temperature of the pizza. One visit, my pizza was overcooked and burned on the edges (quickly corrected by my server) and another, my pizza was undercooked and the mushrooms were not even cooked (not so quickly corrected by my server and the manager). When they get the temps right, it rates right up there with a "real" pizza. I definitely recommend California Pizza Kitchen to safely satisfy your pizza cravings. 

I hear they have gluten free frozen pizzas too! Has anyone tried them? I cannot seem to find them in the grocery stores, so if you have located them, let us know.

California Pizza Kitchen

Locations across the country. To find one near you, click here.

PLAY: Glukos Energy Products

I have struggled with low blood sugar for a while. I find it very difficult to manage while playing my sport. Having balanced blood sugar is crucial for any athlete. As an athlete with food allergies, I have had a hard time finding glucose tablets that are corn free. Most are filled with dextrose (a corn derivative).

Then, I found a product called Glukos! Glukos makes Energy Gummies (my fav), Bars, Gel, Tablets, and Powder. I always carry the Glukos Gummies in my golf bag in case I have a low out on the course. They are easy to eat and come in three flavors: Orange, Fruit Punch, and Lemon. They enable you to recover faster, making them perfect for diabetics and athletes, alike.

Glukos are gluten free and contain no high fructose corn syrup, caffeine, or artificial sweeteners. It does contain glucose and electrolytes like potassium, which are great for balancing blood sugar and fueling your body to succeed. So whether you are training for an Ironman, running a marathon, playing in a soccer game, teeing it up in a golf tournament, or just trying to keep your blood sugar in check, try out Glukos.

Glukos
http://www.glukosenergy.com/

EAT: TopGolf, Chicago, IL

When in Chicago or any major city, you must go to TopGolf. And not just for the fun golf games, but also for the food. I was surprised at how good the food is at TopGolf. In fact, I went back a few days later, just for lunch!

Fear not those with food allergies, TopGolf can accommodate. In fact, they  mark gluten free items on the menu and even have gluten free buns available upon request. My server was knowledgable and even checked with the chef about dedicated fryer. It was a no-go, but I ordered the Sunrise Burger sans bun (no grains for me) and a side of fruit. The burger had bacon, cheese, and egg on top and was a delicious choice pre-golf practice. The fruit was great as well, not that frozen stuff I regularly encounter at restaurants. 

The manager stopped by my table to check on us. A fellow Paleo follower, he said they work hard to accommodate all allergies. In fact, he eats the Sunrise Burger sans bun daily.  

After a tasty lunch or dinner, be sure to check out the golf activities. TopGolf in Chicago (Naperville) has three levels of tee boxes and can handle large groups and parties. Each hitting bay rents by the hour and can accommodate up to six people. If you forget to bring your clubs on your trip, they have some you can borrow. With more than 25 locations around the country and more opening in the next couple of months, TopGolf is a great family friendly activity. Rain or shine, they are open (I hit golf balls during a torrential downpour!).

TopGolf Chicago

3211 Odyssey Ct. 

Naperville, IL 60563

630.596.1000

www.topgolf.com

Great Resources for Dining Out With Food Allergies

TI came across two great Web sites that have a comprehensive list of dining options for people who are:

Dairy Free

http://www.godairyfree.org/eating-out/fast-food-dairy-free-listings

Gluten Free

https://www.verywell.com/gluten-free-fast-food-562726

Gluten Free Find: Crispy Coconut Rolls

A new gluten free find! I found these delicious treats at Costco. The Crispy Coconut Rolls are made of Coconut milk, tapioca flour, sugar, egg, water, salt, and black sesame seeds. Light and crunchy with a nice coconut flavor, they are perfect for a snack or dessert. I will warn you though, they can be addictive!

EAT: Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches

Traveling and eating out regularly with food allergies is not easy. I tend to be selective on my restaurant choices, as I hate to feel deprived when the only thing I can eat on the menu is a plain piece of grilled chicken or a boring salad. I recently rediscovered Jimmy John's as a great option for lunch. Jimmy John's is a national chain, but highly concentrated in the Midwest and where I first discovered the sandwich shop pre-gluten free. 

Jimmy John's is a gourmet sandwich shop, but the one item that makes it my favorite sub shop is the Unwich. The Unwich is any sandwich on the menu sans bread and wrapped with lettuce. My Unwich of choice is The Country Club with turkey, ham, provolone  cheese, and tomatoes. No need for extra lettuce. 

Those with food allergies, especially gluten allergies, should notify the staff of your allergies. Ask them to change their gloves and prepare your Unwich on fresh paper. Also, if you want mayo on your Unwich, be sure to ask for the mayo packets and add it yourself. The spatula for the mayo touches bread every time it is used. 

For a great, fast, gluten free, grain free, paleo lunch, check out Jimmy John's. Just be sure to give exact instructions for your allergy needs to make sure you have a safe meal. 

Jimmy John's Gourmet Sandwiches

https://www.jimmyjohns.com

#glutenfree #grainfree #paleo Breakfast of Champions

When I first found out that I have multiple food allergies, I was at a complete loss on what to eat for breakfast. No bagels, no toast, no cereal, etc. My doctor, a former college athlete, also has food allergies and recommended a variation of my now favorite breakfast. 

Start with grass fed ground beef and then go wild with additions. Tomatoes. Avocado. Spinach. Kale. Green peppers. Red peppers. Shredded cheese. The possibilities are endless. I can't eat mushrooms, but add them if you like them. Homemade salsa would be great too. I usually make mine with heirloom tomatoes, avocado, spinach, and Monterey Jack cheese. 

This gluten free, grain free, paleo breakfast will keep you full for hours. Let me know your favorite combination!

My first attempt at Spaghetti Squash...

was better than I expected. I purchased a spaghetti squash, thinking it would be a great alternative to pasta for my now Paleo, gluten free, grain free lifestyle. It can be found in the produce section of the grocery store and is a large round yellow squash. For some reason, I thought the insides would look like spaghetti, but it looks like a normal squash. With a little Internet research, I found out it is supposed to be baked, then you will see the "spaghetti." I dug out the seeds and cooked mine for 30 min at 400 degrees covered with foil, but I recommend baking it closer to 45 min, unless you want a little crunch to your spaghetti. The fun part begins after it has baked. You take a fork and scrape the insides of the melon. The insides come off in strings! It was quite tasty served with tomato sauce and sausage, almost like real pasta. It will definitely stay in the food rotation and will be great added to salads, one bowl meals, or as a side item. Let me know if you have tried spaghetti squash and your thoughts!

EAT: The Katherine Brasserie and Bar, The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel,Winston Salem, NC

The Katherine Brasserie and Bar is located in the old RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company Headquarters, the building the Empire State Building is modeled after, in Winston Salem, NC. The Headquarters is now a boutique hotel called The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel and Private Residences. Being a native to Winston Salem, I was excited to try out The Katherine and to see what changes were made from the original building.

The Katherine does not have a gluten free menu, but our server was very knowledgeable about ingredients and was happy to check with the bartender and the chef on ingredients. The menu has a great selection of appetizers. I know many times based on my food allergies, I do not even have one appetizer option, so to see so many was great. We started out with the Seared Sea Scallops, complete with Black Truffle and English Pea Risotto. Very tasty and the scallops were cooked to perfection.

We also started with the Trio de Pates, but as you can see from the picture, only two of them were gluten free. Also, no crostini. The Rabbit Rillettes and the Foie Gras Torchon were gluten free, but the chef recommended against the Wild Boar and Fig Terrine due to Bourbon. I know many people can consume distilled grain alcohols with no problems, but unfortunately, I am not one of them, so I avoid them. The dish was finished with a Plum Puree, whole grain mustard, and pickled vegetables. The pates were delish! Would definitely order them again and wish the portion size was larger. I am not sure I have ever eaten Rabbit before, but I was pleased with this pate. Also, this is the best foie gras I have had other than in Las Vegas.

Our server was so helpful that she mentioned that the French Fries were gluten free and fried in a dedicated fryer! Of course, this meant we had to order them! I ordered the Dry Aged Burger, which came with the fries. I ordered the burger without the bun, and while I was told they dry age the burger in house, I was not blown away by it. The fries were the winning part of that dish!

 

My dinner companion ordered the Grilled Poulet Rouge (chicken) with Asparagus and Cherry Vinaigrette. Instead of the Olive Oil Crushed Potatoes, he went with the French Fries. He was not blown away by the dish, but said it was very good. He said the Pates and Fries were the best.

 

I really appreciated the care our server took to make sure we both had gluten free and corn free meals. I always appreciate when a server does not know an answer, but gladly asks the chef. Those of us with food allergies appreciate that level of care.

 

If you get a chance to visit The Katherine, named after the matriarch of the RJ Reynolds family, but sure to check it out. Reservations on Open Table are a must, unless you want to dine in the bar. Be sure to also check out The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel while dining to see that the history of the RJ Reynolds Headquarters building remain.

The Katherine Brasserie and Bar
Inside The Kimpton Cardinal Hotel
51 East 4th St.
Winston Salem, NC 27101
http://www.thecardinalhotel.com/winston-salem-restaurants/
336.761.0203

Retested For Food Allergies

Yesterday, I received the results of my Food Allergy tests. I was retesting after several years to see if any of my food allergies have changed. This is so important to make sure you are not developing new allergies and if you can add back food previously allergenic. Of course, my severe allergies have not improved. Those will be foods I will avoid for the rest of my life. They include wheat, gluten, and corn. I had several mild allergies improve, but that may be from not eating them for several years. I will add them back slowly to see how I feel. I have several new allergies that will now make me live a more Paleo lifestyle. I am now allergic to rice and oats, so now no grains at all. Unfortunately, I ate those as my carbs, and now, I will have to clean up my diet again to make sure I am not eating foods I am allergic to. Also, allergic to cocoa?!? Not fun! A piece of dark chocolate was a great and easy gluten free, corn free option for dessert when you need a sweet treat. I will have to regroup and find some alternatives.

I will be posting new recipes as I find them, but let me know if you have experience with the Paleo Diet. I would love to hear from you!

Suzie-uie Allergy Friendly Sweets

Found a new gluten free product while in Key West a couple of weeks ago! Suzie-uie Roundabout Brownie is free of gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, corn, soy, msg, artificial ingredients, fish, shellfish, and sesame! I love how allergy free the product is, but how does it taste? Delicious! Most products taste like cardboard when all the "good stuff" is missing, but those of us with food allergies are limited. 

The brownie was super tasty and large in size. I recommend heating it up before eating! It was fudgy and had Dutch cocoa and a gluten free flour blend of rice, sorghum, tapioca, and potato. I found the brownie at Key West Key Lime Pie Co., but they can be found in other locations as well, mainly in New England, California, and Florida. I can't wait to try more of Suzie-uie's other items!

Susie-uie Allergy Friendly Sweets

My First Attempt at Gluten Free Overnight Oats

Overnight Oats are all the rage. Convenient, tasty, and healthy, overnight oats are a great addition to your breakfast options. They are made the night before and refrigerated, ready for your on-the-go morning. I like using a mason jar, as it has an airtight top, perfect for overnight storage and even portable to enjoy your breakfast at work.

There are tons of recipes online for overnight oats. This was just my first attempt and it was pretty tasty.

Gluten Free Oats (I like Trader Joe's Gluten Free Oats)
Milk or dairy free alternative
Plain Greek Yogurt
Maple Syrup
Blueberries

The great thing about overnight oats is that you can use any combination or make to your desired taste. The key is to cover the oats in liquid so they set overnight. I layered the greek yogurt for a little more protein and added a dash of maple syrup for a little sweetness. I used blueberries, but you can use any fruit you prefer.

I plan to experiment with more variations and will post what I come up with, but what are your favorite kind of Overnight Oats?

EAT Update: Fresh First, Fort Lauderdale, FL

I blogged about Fresh First, a gluten free restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, FL this time last year. To read that blog post, go here. I returned there for lunch yesterday. Not sure if it was even still in business, we know how allergy free restaurants come and go, I was pleasantly surprised by my visit. Fresh First was bought two months ago by a sweet couple, Eliana and Tarso, both of whom have vast experience in the food industry. Neither are gluten free, but continue the mission of previous owners to provide great gluten free, corn free, peanut free, non-GMO food in a dedicated environment. Both are vegan and have added quite a few vegan options to the menu, like egg free mayo and tofu options. Many of the menu items are still the same, so your favorites are still available. Just a note, the north location of Fresh First has closed. 

I was greeted warmly by the staff as I entered, finding quite a few diners eating a late lunch at 2:30pm. A steady stream of patrons dined and grabbed takeout while I was there. I ordered the Chicken Salad Sandwich, usually a no-go option for me at most places due to my egg allergy. The egg free mayo is homemade and with the addition of celery, dill, and Granny Smith apples, the chicken salad was most delicious. The gluten free, corn free bread had a nice flavor with the addition of herbs mixed in. It has been over three years since I have had chicken salad that I or my mom have not made! The sandwich came with a side of red cabbage coleslaw, which had a nice little kick with the addition of cumin and of course, the vegan mayo. 

While chatting with Eliana, I could see her passion to provide safe meals for those with food allergies was strong. All menu items are made in-house, so inquiring about ingredients is not a problem. I was really excited to see that Eliana and her staff were much more personable and helpful than I had encountered in my previous visit under the old ownership, so I know the new ownership will do wonders for the business. I look forward to returning on my next trip to the area. Oh, and make sure to order the Quinoa Cupcake with Goat Cheese Frosting for dessert! Delish!

Fresh First

1637 SE 17th Street (Yacht District, near the Cruiseport)

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

954.763.3344

http://www.freshfirst.com

Monday-Saturday 8am-3pm

Eat: Recipe: Gluten Free Corn Free Chicken Parmesan with Okra

Chicken Parmesan with Okra

Chicken Thighs

Chicken Breasts

Gluten Free Pasta Sauce (Marinara is best) (Watch for Vodka Sauce)

4C Gluten Free Bread Crumbs

Pillsbury Best Gluten Free Flour Blend

Onion (red or white)

Okra

Mozzarella

Parmesan Cheese

Olive Oil

Canola Oil (lots)

1.        Pound chicken into flat pieces as desired. 

2.       Mix bread crumbs and Pillsbury flour about 1/1 ratio

3.       Dry chicken with paper towels

4.       Rub chicken with breading mix to rejection (until it can’t hold anymore)

5.       Heat large skillet or pot with canola oil very hot

6.       Drop chicken into canola oil once hot (be careful)

7.       Cook 10 minutes or so (I recommend trying a small piece for optimal cooking)

8.       Remove chicken, empty oil, clean skillet. 

9.       Heat skillet over high heat, add splash olive oil.

10.   Put chicken into heated skillet, add mozzeralla on top of each piece.  Cook 3 min covered.

11.   Add pasta sauce on all – cook 5 min covered on low/med.

12.   Remove and serve hot! 

Okra:

1.        Cut okra and onions into slices and small pieces removing ends from both

2.       Skillet needs olive oil, garlic salt (optional), and med heat.

3.       Cook while cooking the above chicken, stirring regularly. 

4.       Add parmesan cheese 4 minutes before serving to ensure melt. 

 Serve two together. 

EAT: Recipe: Gluten Free Chicken Stirfry

Gluten Free, Corn Free Stirfry

Long grain rice

Can of Coconut Milk (Lite or reg)

Chicken Breast and Thighs Boneless

Olive Oil

Zucchini

Red Onion

San J Thai Peanut Sauce

San J Gluten free Tamari soy sauce

1.        Boil Coconut Milk with water.  Add Rice to boiling mix.  You can always add water later as needed to fully cook rice. 

2.       Once rice is added, turn down to low heat, allow to simmer for about 30 min.  Add water as needed to obtain desired consistency of rice. 

3.       Cut chicken into small bite sized pieces both thighs and breasts. 

4.       Cut red onion and zucchini into strips. 

5.       Cook chicken and veggies together in olive oil until cooked.  (try a piece for perfect temp).

6.       Add peanut sauce and some gluten free soy sauce to meat/veggie skillet. 

7.       Serve over rice.  

The key to this is trying as you go to make sure meat is cooked appropriately and rice is fluffy and done (stir with a fork). 

Best served in a bowl! 

EAT: Recipe: Gluten Free, Corn Free Chicken Stew

Tonight's Gluten Free, Corn Free Dinner

2 Chicken Breasts
4 Chicken Thighs
1 Yellow Pepper, Diced
1 Green Pepper, Diced
1 Onion, Diced
1 Clove of Garlic, Diced
5 Strips of Cooked Bacon

1 Package of Queso Fresco
2 Tomatoes, Diced
1 Avocado, Diced

Simmer chicken, peppers, onion, garlic, and cooked bacon on Medium for 20 minutes. Add Queso Fresco to melt for 10 minutes. Serve with tomatoes and avocado.

Serves 4.

EAT: Senza Gluten, West Village, New York City, NY

I still can't believe I have not spent any time in New York City, despite being near the city all the time! I was really excited for my first visit to explore and find some great allergy free food. Senza Gluten did not disappoint. Located in the West Village, Senza Gluten is a 100% gluten free restaurant. How exciting to know that everything on the menu is gluten free. Now, to narrow it down to a couple choices was going to be tough. We dined outside on the sidewalk, which was perfect on a warm evening. Great people watching opportunity! 

Ellieona, our sweet server, was prompt and checked on all the questions we had. I inquired about the corn free status of the gluten free bread. She found out that the Vegan Bread, not the bread they normally served, was corn free as well. She informed us that Senza Gluten does not bake their own bread, but gets it from Everybody Eats, a local gluten free bakery from Brooklyn. The Vegan bread was delicious dipped in olive oil. A great start of what was to come.

Spotting Fried Calamari on the menu, we had to try it. Gluten free fried foods are hard to find. Gluten free, Corn free fried foods are even harder to find. No worries, as Ellieona told us the flour used is fava bean flour. Oh my! It has been a long time since I have had fried calamari and this dish was super tasty. Two dipping sauces complimented the calamari nicely.

I could not pass up the Risotto Zafferano with shrimp and asparagus as my entree. It was tasty, but not as impressive as the bread and calamari. It could have had a couple more shrimp. The portions at Senza Gluten are nice size. I was disappointed I could not try the pasta dishes since the pasta was corn-based. The lasagna sounded amazing. Let me know if you were able to try it, as how often can you trust a restaurant to cook the gluten free pasta in a separate pot? At Senza Gluten, this is a non-issue!

My dinner companion opted for the Filetto Di Manzo, seared filet mignon in garlic, rosemary, sage, balsamic and red wine reduction, served with soft polenta and sautéed escarole. It was quite tasty. It was nice to sample some protein after all those carbs! The escarole really enhanced the flavor of the filet. We asked that the polenta to be on a separate plate, so I could taste the rest without worry of cross contamination with the corn.

We could not get to dessert fast enough. Ellieona checked and all of the desserts were corn free, as well as gluten free! Time for a splurge! We were stuck between the Tiramisu and the Torta Al Cioccolato. Ellieona talked us into the molten chocolate cake with toasted almond cream anglaise and vanilla bean ice cream. Who could do wrong with chocolate? It was awesome! The ice cream is from a local homemade ice cream shop (they made a delivery during our dinner). Perfect ending to the meal. Thank goodness, NYC is a walking city, as we needed to walk off this great gluten free meal! Definitely check out Senza Gluten on your next visit to NYC for a safe allergen free meal!

Senza Gluten
206 Sullivan St.
New York, NY 10012
212.475.7775
www.senzaglutennyc.com

EAT: Posana, Asheville, NC

I love completely gluten free restaurants! To be able to sit down and not have to give my gluten free spiel to the server is always a plus. However, with all of my other food allergies, I am not 100% safe in a 100% gluten free restaurant. I still like to support restaurants who go the extra mile to be gluten free and usually, they "get" other food allergies and know the ingredients of their dishes. A great 100% gluten free restaurant in Asheville, NC is Posana. Posana does not even scream "I am a gluten free restaurant" out front, which is nice, but I verified with my server just to make sure. I was really excited about dining here, as I had heard tons of great comments about Posana.

What is a gluten free restaurant without gluten free bread?? Luckily, the bread met my other food allergy requirements and I was able to enjoy the breadsticks. Very tasty, and I liked the addition of the sesame seeds. Butter and Olive Oil was offered for your dipping pleasure.

I ordered the Sea Scallops. I was hoping to try a dish I could not get at non-gluten free restaurants, like pasta, but Posana does not really even offer a gluten free pasta dish. The Scallops had field peas, smoked bacon, Fork Mountain Farms patty pan squash, and French sorrel puree. Great presentation, but I thought the dish was lacking flavor. It left me wanting something more. I did like getting seven scallops on the plate, a gracious number.

My dinner companion ordered the HNG Pork Chop with charred corn, cherry tomatoes, goat cheese cream, basil, and chow chow. The pork was cooked nicely and paired well with the goat cheese. He said the accompaniments were tasty, but I could not sample due to my corn allergy.

All in all, it is great to dine at a restaurant where the servers are well aware of gluten free and other food allergies. The food was good, but maybe due to the "gluten-free-ness" of the restaurant, I was expecting awesome. The ambiance made up for it though, and I highly recommend sitting outside and enjoying the live music from local artists that rotates regularly outside the restaurant. Great talent and fun people watching from Posana's patio!

Posana Restaurant
1 Biltmore Ave.
Asheville, NC 28801
828.505.3969
http://posanarestaurant.com