Tuesday To Do List: check these off!

Hello, hello!

Summer seems to lend itself to less blogging doesn’t it?

Don’t worry, I’m BACK!

So let’s start check, check, checking things off our list…

In the kitchen:

• It’s back to school for many families out there which means we don’t all have time to have a cookout feast outside every night after sports practices, dance lessons, and homework. This easy-to-throw-together enchilada casserole from Gluten Free Gigi sounds like the comfort food I crave!

• Don’t worry if it’s too hot where you live to turn on the oven quite yet — Johnna has you covered with this no-bake chocolate chip cheesecake. (it’s GF/DF/EF/vegan)

• If you still have zucchini to use up like me, Shirley has THE go-to list for that!

• I made these vegan chocolate chip cookies into gluten-free goodies just by substituting a gluten-free flour mix — they were a hit at our family reunion where we had seven celiacs and some who are also dairy and egg free.

 

Gluten Free in Milwaukee and Beyond — these places have come up recently as having good, gluten-free options. Have you been to any of these?

• D.A.A. Smokehouse in Mukwonago (on my own list to try!)

• La Reve in Tosa — one of the best meals I’ve had out at a restaurant in a very long time. (and there were macarons!)

prosciutto, manchego, pears, oranges, figs, and parsley vinaigrette

stuffed pheasant with manchego risotto and haricot verts

MACARONS!

• The Cheel, Thiensville.  I ate lunch there recently and had a great experience with food flavors I’ve never had before. (NOTE: they do have a shared fryer, so their talk of a gluten-free fish fry isn’t safe for us celiacs.)

• Tofte’s Table, Waukesha. My neighbor’s daughter was recently diagnosed with celiac and attended an opening party with great gluten-free success. (Located in the old Key Westconsin location) Open for regular hours starting TODAY!

• And stop by my DINING OUT page that has recently been updated to include more Milwaukee metro area locations, but also options across the state and country!

 

Travel on. I checked both Boston and DC off my travel bucket list this summer — not a single issue eating safely in either city. I actually had too many options to fit them all in! If you make it to either of these cities, try out:

• Legal Seafood (both DC & Boston locations) they have been leading the way in celiac safe food service for many years. separate fryer, all kinds of fried seafood goodness. fries and slaw. lobster rolls. you name it.

• Boston Public Market – fave find was an allergy friendly warm chocolate chip cookie from Jennifer Lee’s Allergen Free Bakery. (plenty of fresh produce, meats, and cheese too!)

• Pappa Razzi in Boston – THE most amazing Italian I’ve had since being gluten-free. Separate menu, knowledgeable server, manager delivered my food, highly recommend!

• Zaytina in DC – small plates of BIG flavor, inspired by Turkish, Greek and Lebanese cuisines, and creative craft cocktails.

• La Colombe in DC – get a “black & tan” latte

• Rise Bakery in DC – tasty treats, some a little crumbly, but a dedicated place that is 100% gluten-free and also has dairy free, egg free, soy free, nut free options. They had croissants, which I wanted so badly, but they used Bob’s Red Mill oat flour and I’m avoiding any and all oat products except those grown via a purity protocol that are truly gluten-free

• Olivia Macaron in DC – I’ll take macarons over other sweet treats ANY day. These did not disappoint.

• Plan B Burger Bar in DC – wow. just wow. burgers & fries. amazing!

• Oyamel Cocina Mexicana – came recommended by my girl Johnna as THE best margarita she had ever had, so this was for research, of course. 😉 plenty of options and one heck of a margarita.

 

That should keep you busy for at least a week. Until next time…

 

 

Tuesday To Do List: Celiac Disease Awareness Month

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. You can read my very first to-do list here. Cross your fingers I am back here next Tuesday with another list.

HAPPY CELIAC DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH!

Here’s what you should do to celebrate…

• Come join OUR CELEBRATION at our May Gluten Free Get Together dinner at Jose’s Blue Sombrero on Monday, May 23rd. RSVP via the Facebook invite. We’ll be trying tasty treats from Bread SRSLY, (sourdough anyone?!) American Gluten Free, and MORE!

• Celiac Disease Awareness Month AND Cinco de Mayo? Yahoo. Let’s have 4 Ingredient Margaritas, Jalawhoppers, (my fave item at Jose’s Blue Sombrero!) Easy Peasy Taco Dip,  and Mexican Lasagna!

• Make these coffee cake muffins to celebrate being a super celiac and Mother’s Day all in the same month!

• Go check out all the GF goodies at Aldi — friends have been posting about it all week. (the CHEESECAKE platter is baaaaaack!)

UPDATE 5/4/16: Thanks to Johnna from In Johnna’s Kitchen for posting photos from Aldi that show that cheesecake (labeled CERTIFIED GLUTEN FREE) also has a “may contain traces of wheat” warning. This makes no sense to me. Certified should actually mean something. Another reminder to check and recheck and check again on those labels every single time. 😦

• Stop over at Pacific Bistro in Delafield for GF options galore!

• Take a trip. A gluten free adventure somewhere new. We have several trips coming up: Denver, DC, Charlotte. Shout out any “must see” places with GF goodies or otherwise. And take a peek at this list of gluten-free bloggers who do some traveling. (honored to have made the list!)

• Cupcakes. Let’s celebrate with cupcakes! I’ve been trying out different options for healthier treats — not to say I’m not going to have treats sometimes, but I’m on day 33 of real food and my body just seems to do better eating this way so I’d like to find more ideas for coconut and almond flour and use up all those dates in the freezer!

• Make this (or anything from the book!) Kung Pao Chicken from Laura B. Russel’s book, The Gluten Free Asian Kitchen — the dumplings are divine! You can also read my review of the book HERE first, and there’s actually a link to that chicken recipe in the post.

I’d love to hear YOUR celiac story — if you’d like to share in the comments below, that would be swell.

As much as I wish I were getting paid big bucks to add these links to my page, I’m not. They are not affiliate links. I’m just sharing to share.

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. You can read my very first to-do list here. Cross your fingers I am back here next Tuesday with another list.

To try…

• Ever make your own body butter?  Jillee has THE best ideas.
• This venison barbocoa recipe has me running to check the freezer to see what we have in stock.
• Quinoa Tabbouleh Salad, yum!

I spy…

• Gluten-free naan bread! 
• The exact reason you should dye extra Easter eggs!
• Vegan Creamy Zucchini soup.. think I could use my frozen zuc?

 

On the shopping list to buy…

• Would one of each of the ciders on this list be too much? 😉  (I haven’t met a cider that’s not gluten free yet, BUT of course always check to make sure before sipping.)
• The ingredients for THIS amazing looking spring salad! Peas are one of my favorite vegetables. Yes, I know this puts me in the minority.
• Other spring season salad veggies/combos… what are YOU putting into your salads right now? INSPIRE ME! I can hardly wait to get the garden growing!

I’m going to reboot my real food eating with a month of real food in April — I just do better eating real food, as much as I have been trying to deny that lately and indulge in all the treats. Care to join me? I’m trying to persuade some other GF friends to join me as well, the more the merrier! Update: I’ve set up a “Gluten Free & Good For Me” Facebook page to keep us all on track, go give it a LIKE and get in on the fun!

The week over on Instagram…

  
  
  
  

Follow along: @celiacinthecity and pretty please give a “tap, tap” to my photos and leave a comment when you can — the new algorithms they are using are similar to those on Facebook and they will decide what you see now, but the more you interact with your favorite accounts, the more often you’ll see their posts.

 

As much as I wish I were getting paid big bucks to add these links to my page, I’m not. They are not affiliate links. I’m just sharing to share.

 

 

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. You can read my very first to-do list here. Cross your fingers I am back here next Tuesday with another list.
I want to try…

• The gluten-free fish fry at The Cheel in Thiensville.
• Tom & Chee in Brookfield, anyone been?
• This turmeric latte from Shutterbean — I tried a turmeric smoothie recently and have been looking for other ideas.

On my list to buy…

• My friend Johnna is always on the lookout for fun GF items when she’s out and about and posted about these thin, crispy, gluten-free cookies from Trader Joe’s (she’s says they are like Tate’s) that would be perfect for these two ingredient ice cream sandwiches!
• An Inspiralizer. Yes? No? Do you have one? Tell me everything.

I spy…

• Another recipe from Elizabeth Barbone that I must make — just turned her blondie recipe into bourbon blondies for Mr. CITC last week and we’re still talking about them.

• Two cases of “are you freaking kidding me?!” reported to Gluten Free Watch Dog — I sometimes feel like a crazy person the way I check, double check, and triple check on foods, even those that come in a gluten-free package, to be sure they are safe. I guess I’m not the only one. I won’t lie, I feel more nervous as a celiac eight years in than I ever have before. Shouldn’t things be getting better?

 

I almost cried (tears of JOY!) this weekend when I had fried chicken for the first time since being gluten free. (I just celebrated my EIGHT year GlutenFreeiversary recently!) AND apple fritters! When you are gluten-free in Nashville, be sure to check out AMOT. Their entire menu, minus a couple of beers on their beer menu, (where they distinguish between gluten-free and gluten removed beers, impressive!) is gluten-free! And don’t worry vegetarian friends, that black eyed pea falafel sandwich pictured below is for you! My.kind.of.place.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We landed late Sunday night from our adventures celebrating Mr. CITC’s #bigbourbonbirthday… and now I’m leaving on a jet plane to meet my Mamasita in Tucson to visit my brother and soak up some rays! (if you have any Tucson, AZ recommendations, let me know in the comments!)

EnJOY your week.

xoxo

As much as I wish I were getting paid big bucks to add these links to my page, I’m not. They are not affiliate links. I’m just sharing to share.

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. You can read my very first to-do list here. Cross your fingers I am back here next Tuesday with another list…

 

You didn’t think I was the only one doing ALL things pumpkin right now did you? April and her family are trying them all so you don’t have to. (unless you want to — let me know about the peeps!) 😉

I’m already tearing recipes and articles out of my magazines for the upcoming holiday season — is YOUR oven ready for gluten-free baking? Be sure your oven is ready and baking at the right temp. (you would be surprised at how off ovens can be and how quickly that can ruin a batch of cookies)

Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. Wait just a minute. Anyone try this Spiked Seltzer yet? It looks like my love for La Croix water meets up with happy hour, but without me having to add my own Tito’s. This could be a game changer. Let’s hope the folks at Spiked Seltzer find their way over to this post and decide to gift me some for my upcoming birthday.

While in Europe, I fell in love with chocolate covered rice cakes. If you see these, please buy 23 packages for me. (that was supposed to be 2-3, but I see no problem with stocking up)

Gluten Free New York Times Chocolate Chip Cookies? Yes and yes and yes.

Looking for a sweet, but not too sweet and sugary snack for Halloween? THESE!

 

The week over on Instagram:

(follow along: @celiacinthecity)

homemade granola + homemade chunky applesauce + plain greek yogurt + maple syrup = best.breakfast.bowl.yet.

grandma gronseth’s cheeeeeesy veggie soup

random real food baked apple concoction

roasted chickpea goodness

Lincoln is love fall up north!

this book? laugh out loud funny.

hearty hunter’s stew

the new COORS PEAK makes perfect beermosa (beer + OJ)

my “egg dealer” never disappoints

up north is my happy place

Sala has THE best minestrone

valley popcorn = popcorn + coconut oil + salt

As much as I wish I were getting paid big bucks to add these links to my page, I’m not. They are not affiliate links. I’m just sharing to share.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. You can read my very first to-do list here. Cross your fingers I am back here next Tuesday with another list…

• This “Brown Rice Power Bowl” is going on the menu.

• Hosting a gluten-free guest? Dr. Jean Layton has THE list of local GF bakeries to stock up. (bookmark this — I added Molly’s GF Bakery in Pewaukee!)

• Cream Cheese Cut Out Cookies, I’ll take 3. (dozen.)

• Like my Tuesday To Do Lists? You may also like “News & Notes” from Michael over at Gluten Free Philly.

• Trick or Treat — the 2015 gluten-free Halloween Candy List!

• Ever tried Parkside 23 in Brookfield, WI? Join us for our October Gluten Free Get Together dinner. 
• It’s SOUP SEASON! Received several texts and messages this weekend that friends and family were making my Italian Chili with biscuits. So proud. 😉

• This week’s “sometimes cry about” goes to… our friends from Cocina DeLeon in Brookfield. It’s bittersweet news: our friends are closing their doors and retiring to spend time with their family. No one deserves it more than them! The gluten-free community is sad to see them go — not only have they fed us safely for years from their take-and-bake enchiladas, but have also hosted our GF Get Together anniversary parties each year. Blessed to call them friends. Best of luck to the entire Cocina DeLeon family!

This week on Instagram…

Follow along on Instagram: @celiacinthecity

See what I’m pinning: https://www.pinterest.com/celiacinthecity/

As much as I wish I were getting paid big bucks to add these links to my page, I’m not. They are not affiliate links. I’m just sharing to share. 

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…

 

• Have you tried the new breads from Schar yet? (adding it to my list too!)

 

•  I spy a new gluten-free line at Coborn’s grocery stores — celiac sista is especially excited because there is one right down the road from her in MN. Their baking headquarters is in St. Cloud, MN. They even make donuts! (adding those to my request list next time I see the fam!) From celiac sista: “The chocolate chip bars with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips are *just* like the Little Debbie Cosmic Brownies!” The husband wasn’t as excited as me about this review… he of course *could* eat a Little Debbie anything right now if he wanted to so we can’t consider his thoughts. 😉

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(photo from Coborn’s Instagram) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(photo from celiac sista’s kitchen table)

• Before you buy the new GF Cheerios… be sure to read the latest from Gluten Watch Dog. I will confess: I spied, bought, and tried both honey nut and regular Cheerios and survived, BUT now I’m a fraidy-cat and probably won’t buy them again until things change. I probably got lucky and it is one of the riskiest moves I’ve made as a celiac, but wanted to be honest with you. The way they are currently testing makes me nervous. My fingers and toes are still crossed that they make changes and improvements for the future. Stay tuned…

 

• Anyone tried Do-Rite donuts? GFFs (gluten-free friends) from Milwaukee are making the trek down to Chicago for these babies — and it is on my to-do list as well!

 

• And while we’re talking traveling for good gluten-free food — add Bunky’s in Madison to your list. Headed there soon and will have a hard time deciding between pizza and lasagna. Not to mention the LIST of options from their list of gluten-free pastry and cakes!

 

• Been wanting to try homemade tortillas for a while — as soon as the temps cool down a bit (I’ve been eating cold, garden fresh veggies like it’s my job!) I’m all over these tortillas from my girl Jules. 

 

• When I was home in MN, we had a super sub night — I kid you not, one of THE best subs I’ve ever had, gluten free or not. Try one out on Molly’s Gluten Free Bakery hotdog buns like we did…

 

(also buy some of this Strongbow with honey, loving it!) 

 

• Or maybe try making these sub rolls to recreate them at your house?

 

• SAVE the DATE: the Wisconsin GF Expo is coming up! Saturday, September 26th from 10-3 in West Bend.

 

Until next week, my friends….

 

 

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…

 

• I spy some snickerdoodle bars I need to try! (and maybe even buy the new fall baking cookbook from Simply Gluten Free?!)

• Go check out Elizabeth Barbone’s updated site: glutenfreebaking.com  She has been one of my go-to people since day one of my gluten free adventure and I still use her baking book every year at the holidays. Tip: there are some fun fair foods on her site that you should try before summer slips away!

• You’re buying Lakefront’s New(er) Grist with Ginger, yes? Add a slice of orange or lemon for a treat.

• I’m all about trying new super simple summer drinks to sip — try saying that five times fast after a few of these!

(Add Tito’s vodka to orange or lemon San Pellegrino)

 

• Trying my hand at some canning this year — there seem to be two kinds of canning people: those who do it with ease and never break a sweat, and those who are terrified and usually skip it all together. 😉  (I’m somewhere in the middle, but finding my way!)

(dilly beans from Ball’s Complete Book of Home Preserving)

 

• Gluten Free in Sioux Falls, SD: should you find yourself waaaaaaay over to the west… be sure to try Chevy’s in Sioux Falls. I somehow kidnapped celiac sista for a sisters’ night out and we celebrated with margaritas and mucho queso. They have a separate GF menu and will keep the chips and salsa coming!

• I’ve been buying Califia Farms coconut-almond milk blend lately — have you tried it? I don’t drink milk by the glass, but I do like putting it into my iced coffee. Have also had it over cereal. I had tried their almond milk in the past and wasn’t a big fan, but something about the blend of both gives it good flavor. Next on my list is to try their Horchata!

(I call this “liquid sunshine” — cold brewed coffee, slightly sweet chai from Oregon Chai, and milk of choice. Just trust me on this one.)

• My final hurrah of summer is a trip to the fair — have you been gluten free at the Minnesota State Fair? Do tell. I know the lovely Amy Leger from The Savvy Celiac joins forces with other area organizations to put together a list of treats to try. Let me know if you’ve been and what we should get our hands on first! (and I’ll put up this year’s list as soon as it goes live!)

• Want to try THE best enchiladas in the area with me next week? Join me and other GFFs at Cocina DeLeon in Brookfield for our August Gluten Free Get Together event. RSVP via the Facebook invite and bring your appetite!  #glutenfreeinMKE

 

And stay tuned… I had such a good experience being gluten free in Rochester, MN and I’ll tell you all about it soon!

 

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!

 

gifts for your GFF (gluten-free friend)

Each year around this time, I get emails from my own friends and family as well as readers or random new friends who have found my site while searching for gluten-free gift ideas for loved ones — what DO you buy a GFF?

Santa… get ready!

Just diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity?

• First things first, a new toaster.

How about one of these fancy toasters from Bella Housewares?

“Gluten-free bread requires the right conditions to toast. Many gluten-free breads are more dense than regular bread – and a regular “toast” setting means crispy on the outside and cool/frozen on the inside – then, by the time it’s toasted throughout – edges are burnt. In order to get an ideal toast for gluten-free bread, BELLA Housewares developed a “Gluten-Free” setting for its latest collection, Dots 2.0.”

Story.of.my.life.

I got rid of our toaster the day I was diagnosed and never looked back. Although we do have a toaster oven up north at our cottage (where we have space!) that is dedicated as gluten free, I haven’t replaced the gluten-crumb-filled one — so let me tell you what a glorious gift it was to receive the shiny, red one to try out and share with all of you! I am L O V I N G it! No more fighting with the aluminum foil roll in the morning when I’m half awake and haven’t had my coffee yet. You can take gluten-free goods (bread, waffles, bagels) from the freezer straight to the toaster and the gluten-free setting will warm it from the inside out, still giving you a toasted outer edge, but no longer having a frozen middle and burnt outsides from re-toasting three times.

Who knew I missed my toaster so much?! Find them online or at Target right now for $24.99 and get toasting!

• Have bread, will travel? You don’t have to miss out on morning toast or bagels when staying with family or at a hotel during the holidays — get your GFF some travel toaster bags!

• When I was first diagnosed, I went crazy reading articles, books, and websites — there are plenty out there to choose from!
  • Need some Gluten-Free 101 help? Pam from I’m a Celiac has got you covered! Her Suceed at Living Gluten Free book is just $7.99 on Kindle right now.
  • Want to laugh out loud and keep it real? Then you’ll want to get Erica’s book from Celiac and the Beast.
  • Have a cute kiddo in your life life my nephew, Chef Carter? Order Woolfred Cannot Eat Dandelions now!

Does your GFF love to cook and bake?

• My very first baking book was Easy Gluten Free Baking by Elizabeth Barbone — still one of my all time favorites and I’ll be using it for Christmas baking again this year. (really, anything from Elizabeth is worth adding to your gift list!)

Can’t celebrate *with* your GFF in person, but want to send something safe and sweet?

• Molly’s Gluten Free Bakery in Pewaukee, WI will ship right to their door. (they are a nut-free facility and can also do dairy-free) Be sure to include in your shipment: mint brownies, Mexican wedding cookies, lemon bars, and gingerbread cut outs.
• Sweet Ali’s in Hinsdale, IL has become an addiction. They will love you forever.
• Tate’s Bake Shop has more gift basket ideas than you’ll know what to do with!
• My holiday go-to is from our local friends from Abigail’s Originals — THE best cut out cookies. Ever. Go. Order. (they are so affordable!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybe your GFF wishes they could cook, but feels just as happy to hang in the kitchen and watch? (or sip cocktails?!)

• Start with the Arctic Chill muddler. For Old Fashioneds, Sangria, or maybe minty mojitos for New Years Eve? There’s a lifetime warranty AND it’s the top rated muddler on Amazon, you can’t go wrong. We are putting ours to good use on any cocktail you could even think of muddling fruit in!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Make them a hot cocoa bar — an easy-peasy DIY gift that everyone can appreciate. (even more so if you throw in some RumChata!) You don’t need quite this crazy spread, but after hosting our GF Get Together holiday party and cookie exchange last year with a hot cocoa bar, I already had ALL the ingredients to package up some downsized versions for gifts, it was perfect!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It doesn’t have to be food related. Many of the things on my wish list are found in the same aisle and have nothing to do with the kitchen:

• I am in love with EO products — they are having a 30% off sale right now that you don’t want to miss! (it is so much easier to just see the “certified GF” icon for those of us who constantly read labels for a living…and their products are AH-mazing!)

• I’m an EOS junkie. I can’t help myself. The coconut milk is my new fave. You can find them pretty much anywhere: Target, Walgreens, the grocery store. Stocking stuffers!

Here’s hoping some of these gifts find their way to YOU this holiday season — and if you’re STILL looking for ideas — stop back TOMORROW for a giveaway you do not want to miss!

xoxo