The Un-Gluten Guy (My Gluten Free Recipes & GF Adventures)

We were taking the kids to Disneyland for the day; to do the Halloween thing.  And this is my first time back since my diagnosis. What am I going to eat?  How many hours are we going to be there?  How much food do I have to bring?  You know the same old same old - worries and concerns. Well, Disney has done a great job for those of us with Gluten issues.  I searched the web and found many people with good experiences. First step:  Go to City Hall in Disneyland (it is on the left soon as you enter the park) and ask for their Gluten Free list.  The lady behind the counter knew exactly what I was looking for and handed over the 6 page list which included Disneyland and California Adventure.  It said it was valid until the end of the month so they must keep it up to date. The list included snack and vending carts that have GF products.  A few examples are the fresh fruit carts, frozen lemonade, cotton candy, popcorn, kettle corn, turkey l...

So I am not a real sweets person but the occasional cupcake is always a treat. Muffins and scones used to be my favorite, especially walnut cranberry scones. Well, what the hell am I to do now. Enter  2 Good 2 B  located in Encinitas Their who we are page tells the story of Mike, a self proclaimed foodie, who was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in 2007 and his attempt at creating GF food that was more than edible, it was delicious. They have cupcakes and cakes that are out of this world.  And we are not talking just the GF world.  People that have tried these don't know they are GF and still rave about the soft, moist texture of the cake. Bread, they have that too (and sometimes croutons and breadcrumbs).  I have had the rosemary and the baguette.  Both delicious. As far as muffins, I am a fan of the banana walnut.  They even stay good for about 3 days.  The first time I had one of these soft, moist muffins with just the right balance o...

This list hopefully will get quite big but so far I have found two that I trust. First is  George's California Modern  in La Jolla, California.  See my previous BGF (before Gluten Free) blog on food at hisherfoodie.blogspot.com.  The food here is by far my favorite restaurant in San Diego and has the best food.  For most though it will be a bit pricey. The take all food allergies into account.  They do not have a GF menu but the waiters all know what is gluten free and what is not and what can be altered to be GF. This has been my big issue.  If the waiter doesn't even know what celiac disease is, or what items contain gluten I am just about out the door.  At George's they know their stuff. I had the Chino Corn Soup (sans crouton to make mine GF).  This is a rich creamy soup with fresh corn from Chino Farms in Rancho Santa Fe.  The bone in Halibut is prepared perfectly with a nice sauce.  Flourless chocolate cake for dessert...

I am not a sweet tooth guy, more of the savory type.  But when I cut just about everything out of my diet I was looking for something cake-like and sweet.  I was at Trader Joe's and saw their gluten free brownie mix. Now if you have been to TJ's they have a good size list of their gluten free products.  If you live in San Diego, I have been to the Trader Joe's on Mira Mesa Blvd and they have made your life easy.  All around the store they have placed little blue G's to indicate that the product is gluten free. And now - Back to the Brownies. The TJ's were easy to mix and bake.  Taste wise they were good.  A bit dense and chocolately.  Not really a cake like quality.  Although there are many things at TJ's I like.  I won't but this product again. Wildtree.  My mother-in-law found this company and gave me a few of their products.  These were also easy to make.  A bit more light and fluffy than the TJ's.  The chocol...

I grew up eating everything and anything.  I would cook up a storm at home and that was always full of homemade pizza, pasta, cakes, cookies, bread, sandwiches - get the idea.  Then it hit me. At age 38, out of the clear blue, like an anvil in some looney tunes cartoon falling out of the sky onto my head.  Days, then weeks of pain, stomach bloating, lethargy, weight loss.  Being a guy and being stubborn it took a while before I finally sought out medical intervention. They thought maybe an ulcer.  Off to the endoscopy lab and down the throat with a scope.  Well, no ulcer and really not much of anything. Until, the biopsy came back.  Looks like celiac disease.  Off to the lab for blood tests.  Yep, celiac disease. Well, at least its not cancer.  Don't like that answer.  If it was cancer I could eat whatever I want.  But probably good it was not cancer. After the disbelief, depression, anger, confusion and a few more we...