Today I’m turning over a new leaf. Quite literally, actually, as in a lettuce leaf(s) or even multiple leaves of kale. After a week of glutinous sugary dairy filled food I know I need to get back on the bandwagon big time. I’m bloated, exhausted, drained, and so stiff I’m walking like an arthritic 80 year old. And all this after my Saturday morning healthy batch of GF Bob’s Red Mill Pancakes with a handful of GF oats thrown in along with local organic blueberries and mashed banana (YUM). That was so awesome I resolved to cut the gluten and dairy back out right away. Then later when my friend FORCED to me to go sushi (which I LOVE) I chose to ignore the healthy options and go for the tempura. Finished off the evening with loads of ice cream. Then Sunday I shoveled in cheap pizza and other junk. ooofah I feel awful. Last night I made some awesome Mexican style chicken which I plan on eating with brown rice. And I still have leftover GF DF pancakes. And this morning I’m starting with some fruit and veg juice to shock my system with something nutritious. So maybe this time if I’m typing it out and putting it out there I’ll be more likely to stick to it.  Oh yeah, there’s a farmer’s market open today, I’d better go, I always feel like eating my greens after seeing all the produce.

The Best GF Brunch in Seattle

Yikes! I'm way behind. I have eaten so much good gluten free food lately...it's been awesome. Let me start with Portage Bay in Seattle, WA. If you are gluten free and you are anywhere near Seattle and you don't go there you are CRAZY! Gluten free french toast! C'Mon! I believe they make their own Gluten Free bread and use it. You can also get it as toast with any of their breakfasts, and it's a nice big thick slice of yummy bread with good stuff to slather on it. And their GF pancakes looks taste-eeeee. But the French toast... They have a TOPPINGS BAR! Ferreals. It's kinda spendy but I made two meals out of one breakfast and I was totes full both times. There are huge pieces of French Toast and you can load it up at the toppings bar with fruit, whipped cream, nuts, real maple syrup...oops I just drooled a little. Once again, I would post a pic of my breakfast but I ate it too fast. Oh yeah, and even if you're not GF, everything looks awesome. And the coffee comes in ridiculously large cups. This place is just about perfect.

Lunching out again

So again today I forgot to pack a lunch (okay, there was more laziness involved than forgetfulness) so I had to eat out. The other day (the sunny one) I had taken a stroll around the food carts and lo and behold, the grilled cheese grill has Bob's Red Mill gluten free bread! Woohooooo! I've been wanting a tasty sandwich lately, and I sure had one today. The BLTGC (bacon, lettuce, tomato, grilled cheese) that I would have taken a picture of had I not wolfed it down in a flash was super yummy. I wouldn't bet on there being no contamination from their glutiny sandwiches, but if you're like me and have a low tolerance instead of being Celiac, this is the place to get your grilled cheese. Oh yeah, and a brownie I'm too full to try yet. So check out the Grilled Cheese Grill on 10th and Alder and eat your self a sammich like mom used to make!
And stay tuned for more GF lunch options, like my favorite Thai Chicken place now with GF tamari...

Dinner is served

Made Bob's Red Mill pizza crust, added sauce with lots of garlic, Canadian bacon and Daiya cheese. It's my favorite pizza crust mix. It's even better than some GF restaurant pizzas. I let it prebake a little longer than the recipe calls for and then put some foil over the edges when I put it back in the oven with the toppings. Sometimes I make breadsticks using the recipe on the package, adding a little garlic powder. Just shape them into breadsticks and bake until they get a bit golden. I've dipped them in pasta sauce and in fondue. Yum!

What's for Lunch?

It's time for lunch and due to my poor planning I have no idea what to eat. Portland really is a gluten free mecca, so at least I have options. I have food carts within walking distance, Mexican places, Thai food, Japanese food, Deschutes Brewery, PF Changs, Whole food grocery, all with gluten free food available. But I'm also trying to lose weight and avoid sugar and dairy so that limits me. I get myself into trouble deciding on something like sushi, planning to get only GF items, but oh, those battered and fried rolls are so hard to resist. The Cuban cart, El Cubo de Cuba, has several GF items but I eat the equivalent of two entire meals when I go there, it's so good. The joke at the office is that I'm some sort of curry addict, but the Thai carts and restaurant nearby have such good curry that I dream about it. Hm, guess I'll go to the library and see what I walk by. Tonight I'm for sure making Canadian bacon pizza with Bob's red mill pizza crust mix and Daiya cheese! and tomorrow, leftovers!