*Chex* Crispy Bars

Josh was craving rice crispy bars tonight so we went to the grocery store to pick up the ingredients, which I assumed to be gluten free, only to discover that Rice Krispie cereal contains malt extract... BUMMER! We scoured the cereal aisle for a good alternative and settled on Rice Chex (my new staple cereal), which is labeled gluten free.

Josh was a bit skeptical, but it turns out the Chex cereal creates a killer rice crispy bar! The larger cereal pieces offer more crunch and is totally satisfying. Yay!!

Gluten-Free bread=1, Caitlin=2!!!

After my horrific gluten-free bread experience last week, I was feeling quite discouraged that I would never have a good sandwich again in my life. I decided to head down to Eau Claire, Wisconsin's local co-op Just Local Food, and met a very nice ex-baker now gluten intolerant employee. He directed me to two types of bread: Our Daily Foods, LLC "Pauls white sandwich bread" and The Green Bakery "sorghum bread".



The Green Bakery is located south of Wheeler Wisconsin, and provides freshly baked bread as well as pre-cooked frozen bread for the freezer. I have only tried their sorghum bread, but the also offer basic brown, chickpea and millet. While the bread size is small (about the size of a large deck of cards), the sorghum bread is delicious fresh out of the toaster and is great sandwich bread.



Our Daily Foods, LLC is a husband and wife team which specializes in gluten-free items. Their "Paul's white sandwich bread" is an uncooked loaf which is kept in the freezer and requires 3-8 hours to thaw and rise out of the freezer. This bread really gives you the whole baking experience with the smell of delicious warm white bread right out of the oven. While this is marketed as sandwich bread, Lara and I just ate it with butter and jam as an amazing breakfast treat!



Both of these breads have given me hope for my gluten-free future, and I hope you all get to try these amazing products!

Sandwich Bread!! Delicious!

Caitlin came to visit over the holiday weekend and we made a stop at the Seward Coop in Minneapolis for some gluten-free deliciousness. We had the MOST fantastic lunch, which included Rueben sandwiches on gluten-free bread, delicious cheesy potatoes, and gluten-free cream puffs for dessert. The meal was so yummy and we were particularly impressed with the gluten-free bread. The only way you knew it was gluten-free was because it was small, but that was truly the only indicator! After our fabulous meal, we stopped back at the cafe counter to ask what the bread was and it is a company called Udi's that has a complete line of gluten-free products. Check out the website: Udi's Gluten Free Online Store.

Gluten-Free bread=1, Caitlin=0

Buying Gluten-Free in Eau Claire, Wisconsin is proving harder than expected and after buying sandwich bread that is comparable to Styrofoam and cost $6.00, I am begining to lose hope. I love sandwiches and as a college student, they are a vital food link in my diet! Does anyone know a sandwich bread which tastes good??? I am desperate!

why tomatoes are a fruit...

I just had to post about the most satisfying and delicious gluten free meal I am currently consuming (and not missing the bread one bit!).

Thank goodness for the farmers market in downtown Minneapolis, because today I picked up some stunning organically grown tomatoes from a Wisconsin farm during my lunch break. This particular stand had many gorgeous varieties of tomatoes to choose from, so I picked out a flavorful Brandywine red tomato as well as a yellow tomato for a caprese salad.

I chopped up the tomatoes when I got home and cubed some fresh mozzarella and mixed them in a bowl. I then drizzled on some balsamic vinegar and topped with a sprinkle of sea salt & pepper as well as some dried basil (i didn't have any fresh) and it is AMAZING! The tomatoes are actually some of the sweetest and most delicious things I have ever consumed. Their texture is perfect and, when paired with the fresh mozzarella and salty/tangy balsamic, create a t0-die-for gluten-free meal.

With fresh food like this, going gluten free will be (better than) a piece of cake! So my new strategy will be to focus on the quality of my food and spend the extra money on fresh ingredients that will make the difference. If I can stick to this plan, hopefully I won't miss out on the easy gluten-filled foods I am so used to!

gluten free flour?

I'm looking for suggestions for good gluten free flour... I thought I remembered hearing that the family had a flour that was particularly good (maybe for baking?). If anyone remembers or has suggestions, I'm interested!

Thanks!

gluten-free restaurant guide - Minnesota/Wisconsin

Here are some restaurants up north that offer a gluten-free menu.

http://northlandceliacs.fastmail.fm/dining.html