Week 4: Paris

Gluten in Paris....

Last summer I went to Paris for a while and being gluten-free in Paris was an adventure, and then having my friend with me being vegan was even more of an adventure haha! There is this theory that says some people who are sensitive to gluten can eat some pasta and breads while over in Europe... I am not sure how much truth is actually behind that but I know that when I went to Italy, I did try the pasta and did not have a reaction to it. The theory is because of how fresh the pasta and bread is, and how it is lacking the preservatives Americans pack into their food, and the way it is processed differently. 

 I got nervous while I was there and tried to eat gluten-free unless there was something irresistible that I would regret not trying later! So the first night there I went out grocery shopping for some snacks and found a decent selection of sans gluten items...

Paris Grocery Shopping Results

Crepes were the one thing I was sad I could not experience... I wish I could have stopped at the adorable crepe shop right outside my hotel in the mornings on my way to set but I knew it would have made me sick. I found a gluten-free crepe shop in Paris but I never had time to go check it out!

I did though also find a delicious gluten-free bakery that was about a hour walk from my hotel, and I told my myself, If I walked there I would be allowed to eat two pastries haha! It is pretty over whelming walking into a place where literally everything is gluten-free, I am not use to that!  There I was able to enjoy some of the classic French pastries gluten-free it was mind blowing and fantastic! 

Helmut NewCake Bakery  

One classic French pastry that is naturally gluten-free when made properly is the macaron, because it is purely made with Almond Flour! So of course I go to Ladurée. And as always their macarons never fail to blow my mind. I am trying to recall right now if I have had a favorite flavor and I do not think that I could choose one. The flavors are so rich and unique.

Take me back to Paris please!

 

Can I have a dozen of each!?

One thing that is important to know if you are going aboard and are not comfortable with the

language, or you just want to make sure they understand what you cannot eat is these.  Back when I
was looking at them there was not an app yet, but it makes sense for that that have occurred!  But this way you can hand your phone or card to the server, and let them read it clearly stated in their native language what you cannot eat. This is traveling must!

BON VOYAGE!

Week 3: So you eat what?

I wanted to embellish more on my post from last week, because one of the most common questions that people will ask you when they find out that you are gluten-free, and then in my case I also do not eat dairy or meat is You cannot eat anything, what do you eat? Well just look at me I am clearly not a starving person. I just laugh and say I really can eat just about anything... My daily meals are not that different from that of person that has no eating restrictions, with just a few tweaks here and there I can convert almost any meal to be gluten-free.

Trader Joe's Oatmeal

Breakfast: I like most people I have to force my self to eat breakfast, expect Sunday Brunch that I will gladly get up and eat any day... I am a huge fan of Sunday Funday. But the other six days is a struggle! A normal person on the go would grab a breakfast bar or protein bar,  for me it is harder to find those that taste well and still give me the same amount of nutrition. So I will often make green smoothies.. oh you have never had a Green smoothie??!? Check out this blog I visit it a few times a week it's awesome http://greensmoothiegirl.com/.

YUMMMMMMMM

 Or A protein smoothie, it is a daily struggle to make sure I get enough protein everyday. I also am a huge fan of oatmeal in the morning as long as the oats are certified gluten-free I can have it, Trader Joe's makes a great one! And eating oatmeal in the morning fills you up and is suppose to stop the craving of unhealthy foods throughout the day.








 I personally am not a fan of cereal but that is something too that there is now a huge variety on even with mainstream brands... from Chex, Captain Crunch, Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles to Rice Krispies. Then if you want to have your pancakes and Waffles you can still enjoy that with some gluten-free mix.  I will always bring some if I know that we will be making breakfast and almond flour is delicious. So some of your more adventure friends might be more than willing to try!

The one breakfast food that I miss like crazy and yes they do make gluten-free ones, but it is not the same as waking up in the city walking down the street and getting the best BAGEL ever!!! I visit NYC frequently, and that is something I recall doing as a kid a loved it. Getting one that is hot with cream cheese or a with eggs and cheese and walking down the street it is perfect. Same when I visit Paris with crepes that makes me sad too...


Lunch: With my schedule I have to always plan out what I will do for lunch. Wether that is going out to eat or packing a lunch. When I am in a pinch and do not have time to pack my lunch in the morning I have a few go to places in Winston that provides gluten-free options.
Jimmy Johns does an awesome thing that is better than Subway and have an unwhich... which is any sandwich they have without the bread and is wrapped in lettuce! It is perfect for on the go eating

Also Whole Foods, does a fantastic job of labeling and having all of the ingredients listed in the buffet and sushi bar! So I can make a large salad and have that last me for lunch and dinner.

I have recently discovered at Finnigan's Wake Irish Pub and Kitchen, their Tim's Green Burger contains a gluten-free Garden Burger which is rare to find, AND is available to be served on gluten-free bread which is rare as well, and it taste great!

If I am feeling like some mexican food quickly I can always got to Chipotle! To ensure that I can eat safely I ask the workers to switch their gloves before they prepare my food, since they have been touching and working with wheat tortillas.













Dinner:  This is the first year that I have really enjoyed starting to experiment with recipes so I do not eat out that much anymore. But I did go out this Friday at the Village Tavern and they had a gluten-free menu that had a fantastic variety with a decent price point as well!

Regular Sushi

Margherita Gluten- Free Pizza Village Tavern $8.50 

Stuffed Artichokes

One of my favorite things to make as an appetizer is stuffed artichokes.... There are many different varieties of different things to stuff it with but all include bread, just substitute regular bread with Udi's Gluten-Free Whole Grain Hamburger Buns. If you serve it has an appetizer no one will ever be able to tell the difference!

Cauliflower Sushi

Then Sushi is something that I can get nervous about eating out because of the sauces and soy sauces, it can get very iffy! So last night for the first time ever I made sushi! It was incredible, I am not a pro yet but it is something I will definitely be doing more often.  That is a lot of rice so an alternative that we found is substituting Cauliflower for the rice. It is not too bad actually!

I have also started to grill out a lot with people!  So when other people do hamburgers and hotdogs  I will grill a veggie or black bean burger. Even if you are not a vegetarian be careful what is in hotdogs and hamburgers. Some people will prepare their Hamburgers with bread crumbs... and instead of a bun I will normally just make it into a salad or use theUdi's Gluten-Free Whole Grain Hamburger Buns. Something new I started doing is grilling Romaine Lettuce, try it!!!

Week 2: Can Gluten-free People Eat out?

OF COURSE we can eat out! I cannot even start to tell you, how much easier it has gotten over the past few years ... Before I would normally  go out and order salads without the croutons or some type of grilled fish.. FUN FACT: I am also a Pescetarian!

One of the foods I knew that I was really going to miss was Pizza... I mean who would not! Back home my Mom nailed down the best homemade pizza crust recipe! But since I moved away from home I have found these two places in Winston- Salem, NC were I can still eat pizza

Unfortunately the GF crust only come in a medium size and is about $20 when said and done.  Their chicken is not GF, but they have GF beers that are fantastic!

The GF crust is good here! The best is going after 10pm ANY night and they have their two for one pizza specials!


AND WTF I learned tonight that chuck e cheese has GF Pizza....

Another type of food that is hard not eat anymore is Chinese... But don't you worry....

Best Gluten-Free Menu 
Sadly there is not one in Winston-Salem but Greensboro is not that far!!!

One of my favorite things to watch evolve is desserts, and how normal bakeries have started to carry GF items. It might sound like a simple thing, but really it is the little things that make being GF easier... having GF options, clearly labeling items,  having someone who understand, etc. All those things are little wins and are like a breathe of fresh air. 

Every Friday is Gluten-Free Friday 

If you have friends that are GF and you want to go out and eat in Winston- Salem, NC here is a fantastic list of restaurants in the area.  That one covers a lot places but if you want more variety for Winston or anywhere use this website. 

But we want to stay in... what can I safely cook a person who is gluten-free? Glad you asked next week you shall know! 

Week 1: Gluten is Sneaky

After multiple allergies tests, more butterfly needles going into my arm than I can count, we finally got the answers to why my face would get swollen, the irrational behavior, and why overall I just was not feeling well... The results were I was allergic to Gluten and Milk, and sensitive to many other everyday foods such as eggs, yeast, and sugar cane sugar... keep in my this is 2004 in Charlotte, NC there was no Whole Foods, Earth Fare, Traders Joes, or gluten free sections in Harris Teeter. Society had not yet picked up on this way of eating. Most people did not know what to do with you or had any idea what this gluten thing was that I spoke of. I could not imagine being my Mom in this situation, she had to learn so much so quickly, do hours of research and go to all the small local health food stores... information for gluten free eating was not as easily accessible as it is today. I asked her how I was when I was first told about having to be gluten-free she said "I was a bit resistant at first but when I started realizing how much better I felt, I was all for it".

I do not miss eating gluten, I think that the world of food is much more intreating without it because you get to explore all these amazing recipes. And by just eliminating gluten, you eliminate a countless amount of processed meals and fast food, which no one should really be eating anyways! 

So what is Gluten?

Gluten is the elastic protein found in wheat, rye, barley, durum, einkorn, graham, semolina, bulgur wheat, spelt, farro, kamut, and triticale. It helps dough rise, keep shape, and gives it a chewy texture. 

It is not always as easy as, oh look there is bread I can't eat it, gluten hides in foods that the average person would not necessarily think of, and it is important to be aware of that! Oh what are some of those foods? Glad you asked...

• Soy Sauce- They do make a Gluten-free one now!
• Twizzlers and most licorices- You can have Swedish Fish! 
• BBQ Sauces 
• Salad Dressings 
• Cornflakes and Rice Krispies- They now both make a gluten-free type.
• Soups
• Ice Cream
• Oats that are not certified gluten-free oats
• Chocolate 
• Malt Vinger
• French Fries
• Seasoned Chips 
• Faux meats 
• Gravy
• Sausages 
• Hamburgers

Also drinks hide gluten:

• Beer- which sucked when I was in High School, because everyone could easily get beer but getting wine or liquor took a bit more planning which was annoying.
• This also means that I do not frequent places like Foothills or any breweries that are also a restaurant, because they like to extend their beers into the kitchen and cook with it. 
• Instant Coffees - Wake up a little early and use a French Press!
• Blended and Herbal Teas
• Flavored liqueur and liquor - Tito's is a popular gluten-free vodka
• Wine Coolers ( Malt) - Just drink Red Wine... List of Wine Deals in Winston Salem, NC 

And believe it or not cosmetic products: 

• Makeup
• Shampoos
• Lotions
• Fillers in Medicines 

                                  Bath & Body Works uses in some of their soaps, lotions, and antibacterial lotions Wheat Germ Oil and/or oats. 

   

***The key to being gluten-free is learning how to read labels and once you get use to doing that you will be golden. ***

What what do you do at a restaurant, when you don't have every label of every ingredients in a restaurant to read? We shall cover gluten-free dinning in the post!