I’m not a huge fan of frozen pizza, but having this in the freezer for those days you don’t want to venture out to track down a gluten-free pizza is a smart idea.
I’m also dairy-free, so I’m always checking the Whole Foods freezers for a pizza I can eat. This one didn’t disappoint. It is thin-crust and not too saucy. The next time I make this, I’ll probably add some meat or fresh vegetables.
For more gluten-free pizza options, visit this page: Gluten-free Twins Pizza!
chocolate and mocha, chocolate and banana
May is Celiac Awareness month (though some celebrate in October). To celebrate, I headed over to Babycakes LA and picked up a couple of their vegan, gluten-free cupcakes. I was in luck, they had a couple of special flavors. They had only one chocolate with banana frosting left, so I immediately chose that one. The second was one they had created for a custom cake – chocolate with mocha frosting. Both were great. I hope they’ll consider adding these to their cupcake rotation.
Babycakes LA is located in downtown Los Angeles. Check out my previous Babycakes reviews.
The ever-popular Sprinkles has answered the requests of its customers and introduced a gluten-free red velvet cupcake – designated with a big red “G”.
I’ve never been to a Sprinkles, but always see a long line out the door at the Beverly Hills location.
Unfortunately for me, I can’t eat these because I also avoid dairy, and the frosting is made from cream cheese. So, readers: please try one for me, and leave a comment with your reviews!
Here’s a link to their site with details on their gluten-free cupcake and all of their locations – sprinkles.com
If you’re like me (and Shaun), then you can probably justify spending a small fortune on GF foods at upscale markets or bakeries. Well now I can say that there is a fast-food alternative! Carl’s Jr. has put out information on GF ordering on their website: http://www.carlsjr.com/menu/indulge. Basically, you can order a burger wrapped in lettuce and a side of their natural fries. They even have a coupon for a free side salad when you order a GF burger. Here is a link to the full menu with allergen information: http://www.carlsjr.com/content/downloads/CarlsJr_AllergenChart_.pdf.
Hosting a get together, and want to make sure you can eat all of the appetizers? Get these Blue Horizon Salmon Cake Bites. You can microwave them, or put them in the oven. I was feeling lazy and wanted to try these, so I popped them in the microwave and ate them for dinner. Paired with tartar sauce, they were great. I’m sure, they’re even better in the oven.
I picked these up at Whole Foods in Los Angeles. They also make gluten-free crab cake bites, which I’ve already purchased and am looking forward to trying.
A complete list of their products is available on their Web site bluehorizonseafood.com – note though that everything is not gluten free.
Bard’s tale gluten-free beer is a nice full-tasting beer and an alternative to Redbridge. Darker and heavier, it has more of what I consider a traditional beer taste.
Made from 100 percent malted Sorghum, it is free of any gluten ingredients. The founders both have Celiac and follow their mission “to make beer available to everyone again.”
I purchased a six-pack for $9.99 at Bev Mo, and I believe some Whole Foods carry it as well.
They have a cool Web site – bardsbeer.com – give this beer a try!
Last week I went with some coworkers for an after-work drink at BJ’s Brewery and Restaurant in Montebello (20 minutes east of L.A.) Flipping through the menu, I was shocked to see Redbridge beer on there. It was the second time I’ve been able to order a gluten-free beer at a bar in my life!
Then, perusing the food menu, I was equally surprised to see they had added a gluten-free pizza to their menu. It was a thin crust, and I had the choice of any of their toppings with the exception of the meatballs.
The pizza was great, and now i have an actual pizza option when I eat here with my coworkers.
I checked their menu online, and they don’t have the gluten-free pizza or beer listed. Perhaps they are piloting? I’d recommend calling ahead to see if they have it at the location nearest you. You can check out their Web site for locations.
Picked a couple of these mint chocolate brownie cupcakes up over the weekend from Babycakes LA. They are incredibly good. 
They don’t have them every day, so make sure to get them when they do!
I was at Whole Foods and picked up this flat, hard piece of Super Seed Mochi. The package calls them Bake and Serve Rice Squares. Made out of brown rice, the mochi has added essential fatty acids, hemp and flax seeds.
To bake, you cut the mochi into one inch pieces and bake for about 8 minutes. The mochi expands, almost forming a hollow, bun like shape. This mochi is not like sticky dessert sushi, but more like bread with a crunchy outside and chewy inside. I tried putting olive oil and salt on one piece and honey and cinnamon on another. Both sweet and salty were tasty.
Pure Synergy is another supplement I take everyday. Those who have Celiac often get sick more frequently because it is an autoimmune disorder. While the body is busy attacking gluten, it neglects the other bacteria and germs that invade the body.
I’ve been taking Pure Synergy for about a year and a half and it has substantially helped me stay healthier. If I feel cold or flu symptoms coming on, I’ll double up on it.
From their Web site, “In every spoonful of Pure Synergy, you receive densely packed nutrition that intensely nourishes and strengthens every system in your body, resulting in sustained energy, enhanced recovery, mental clarity and overall well being.” I have to say, this sounds over-the-top, but I have gone off of it at times and have noticed it.
The only downside of Pure Synergy is that it isn’t cheap. I would recommend buying it on their Web site for $54.95. I ran out once and had to pay $75 at a health food store in L.A.
Shaun
Heather