Tuesday To Do List — what to buy, spy, and try! (or sometimes cry about)

Tuesday To Do List is my newest attempt at bringing you tidbits from the gluten-free world each week. This will continue until my mind-that-doesn’t-rest comes up with another way to entertain you guys. Cross your fingers I am back here next Tuesday with another list…

Three cheers for three weeks in a row! Big summertime commitment.

Speaking of commitments — last week we celebrated our FIVE year anniversary of Gluten Free Get Together events in and around Milwaukee. Each month I organize a dinner, event, or field trip and am joined by other gluten-free friends in the area. This group has become like family, I love them so.

And so do the generous companies who helped me fill GF swag bags for our event. The love they sent this year has left me speechless. (and we know that’s rare.)

Today’s to-do list is a shout out to ALL the companies who made our party such a huge success.

Please go spy, try, or buy ANY of these companies’ products! (some may even make you cry — tears of JOY that is)

 

Red Apple Lipstick — I’ve been singing their praises since I first tried their lip glosses. Now most of my make up bag comes from them. I have converted many friends and family members to their Lash Project Mascara. (read all about it HERE) The ladies were thrilled with the lipsticks and ralleye balms in their bags!

(Isn’t Katiekins just gorgeous!? She’s a Red Apple girl for sure!)
The Gluten Free Bar (the GFB) — Marshall and I have been in touch since he first started his company. Stories like this make me smile. He started with just a couple of bar flavors and has now expanded the business and is making his way across the country into stores. Kudos to him and his team!

Sentry in Delafield — Kerry and her team at the store are all about making our community happy. Their GF aisle and freezer section is impressive and their willingness to order new goods is appreciated. It’s my go-to store in the area!

GF Harvest — Another story that makes me smile every time. Forrest started this company in high school, yes high school, as a school project. I have been ordering their certified gluten-free oats for years and am always on the lookout for their new product lines. (like yummy granola!))

 

 

 

G.H. Cretors popcorn — they sent bags of their “Chicago Mix” and boy am I glad they did. AH.mazing.

Lovely Candy Co. — I’ve had a couple of their licorice products and was just as impressed with their caramels. Melt in your mouth!

Fahlstrom Farms — three cheers for this “Minnesota Nice” company that sent FULL sized bags of cheddar biscuit mix! If I’m going to buy a brownie mix, it will be theirs.

Ciderboys — Thanks to their bottle openers, we’ll be sipping cider all summer!

Cup4Cup — As you know, I’m a long time fan of Cup4Cup. For me, it’s worth the cost to have my family recipes convert over and turn out every single time.

Pamela’s — Game changers in the gluten-free s’mores world! The new mini graham-like crackers are too good. (meaning I could eat the whole box in one sitting!) The crowd gobbled these up for dessert. (my mamasita thinks these  will make excellent dippers for pumpkin dip!)

Jovial — the perfect pasta in gluten-free land! When I can use a pasta in a cold salad, I get excited. And when the husband asks for it, you know it’s good. Someday I hope to take my celiac sista on their GF trip to Italy!

Sweet Ali’s Bakery — we are BIG fans of Sweet Ali’s around here. We even take field trips down to the bakery (it’s not too far) in Illinois to get our fix. The dessert tray was gone in no time!

The Better Chip — my mama found these chips years ago and we have been eating them ever since. Their unique flavors: beets, jalapeno, spinach & kale, corn, and chipotles keep us on our toes. My nephews call the kale ones, “the green chips” and ask for them often. (they’re 3 and already on the kale train!)

Canyon Bakehouse — I just mentioned their deli rye style bread in last week’s post and am still raving about it. LOVE their breads. Period. (and everyone gets to try them now with the coupons they sent!)

Jones Dairy Farm — we love Wisconsin companies! The coupons they sent will be used on our breakfast menu soon.

Freedom Foods — they make a version of GF fruit loop-ish cereal that I eat by the handful. Their coupons will be put to good use!

 

And a special shout out to Marty’s in Delafield!!! (not to be confused with their Brookfield location — this safe, amazing service comes from Delafield only) We had to move the location of the event at the last minute and Duane, Maynard, and our fantastic servers made us feel right at home. (they even went out and got Lakefront New Grist for one of our GF peeps!) The pizzas were perfect, the salads were spot on, and the wings were baked rather than fried, just for us! THAT is the kind of safe service the gluten-free community deserves.

Head over to Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and all their websites — give them some Milwaukee gluten-free love and let them know how you liked their products. (also sign up for email lists to be up to date on their latests news and deals!)

Here’s to another five years of fun — thanks for being part of it all!

 

A gluten free summer in the City

I cannot tell you how many times I have opened up this page to start a post in the last month.

A whole month has gone by without a peep from this girl. (Well I have been peeping a little on my Facebook page, if you aren’t already joining us, please do. I am always sharing little tidbits over there that don’t always make the site)

Sometimes life just happens. Not always the way you expect it to. Sometimes the way you thought you were headed is not where you end up. It’s been a busy month. Crazy busy. I wanted to be here with you guys, but I had to take a little time-out.

The problem with that is… now I don’t even know where to start. I have been taking pictures every chance I can. Knowing that someday soon I would be back here. Sharing them with you.

To ease back into things, I think I’ll just share a little of everything that has been going on. And I’ll never pull that leave-for-a-month trick again.

On food:

The nice folks at Canyon Bakehouse sent a bunch of products for me to try and then share at our last Gluten Free Get Together. This is their rosemary & thyme gluten free focaccia. It made the perfect flank steak sandwich with roasted red peppers and mozzarella.

At a recent birthday party, a sweet friend was kind enough to save me my own serving of bruschetta before it hit the regular bread. This focaccia worked wonderful for that. Or just toast it up and dip it in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Loving the cinnamon raisin bread too (toasted with honey) and the Mountain White bread makes soft sandwiches, no toasting required.

I had the most wonderful dining experience at Seven Seas in Delafield, WI.  It was a birthday party for my dear friend and she was so sweet to call her friends who own the restaurant to be sure I could eat a good meal. (not just a salad) Thanks to Mark at Seven Seas for being so accommodating. He even ordered Strongbow for the party. Lucky me! Our server was amazing and made me feel like I was the “special” one at the table. Delicious food and the best view. Go see them soon!

On fun:

Crispin Cider and Fox Barrel Cider have been the drinks of choice this summer. Family and friends have been converted.

Made two trips to Summerfest this year. In between seeing friends’ bands play, I volunteered some time. As a hotdog. Yep, that’s me on the right. It was over 90 degrees that day. Oy.

This sunset never gets old. Neither does time with my soul sista. Thanks to her, this view has been a big part of my summer.

On friends:

I am blessed to have friends who are healthy, happy and here. Remember how lucky we all are to be alive and well.

Cheers to amazing friends!

And cheers to YOU. I have missed you guys. Feels good to be back. What have you been doing with your summer?