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Pop-up Gluten free at Artscape Wychwoodbarns

by Elo.B on November 5, 2012

Don’t miss out on this event if you or someone in your life is GF! This happens to be in my backyard so I’m very excited about this one. We all know buying gluten free can be hit or miss. I’m definitely guilty of sticking with the same brands I know and trust because frankly I don’t want to waste my money on trying something new that is potentially uneatable. When a box of granola bars sets you back 7-10 dollars you tend to get that way :) .  So…. my thought is, this would be a perfect venue to sample and see what’s new!

 

Hopefully I’ll see you there!

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Shrimp Fajitas

by Elo.B on October 5, 2012

In our house we are constantly fitting the “same taste battle”. We found out what I could and couldn’t have, we figured out a few staple sauces and well  basically used them to death!

In an effort to try something new…

(Tangy Shrimp avocado fajitas on a tasty corn shell.)

2 cups of cabbage  (slaw mix)

2 cloves of garlic

5 mushrooms sliced

1 red pepper sliced

10-12 Large shrimp, de-veined with tails removed

1/2 cup black beans (optional)

1 large avocado  diced

Sauce:

2 table spoons of Dijon mustard

4 table spoons of olive oil

1 teaspoon of cayanne pepper

 1/2 lemon squeezed

1/2 lime juice squeezed

pinch of pepper and salt

In a heated pan add olive oil and garlic. After softened add in mushrooms, pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add in coleslaw mix and shrimps stirring occasionally for an additional 5-7 minutes until shrimp becomes cooked (if pre-cooked reduced time). Add salt and pepper to taste.

In an oven (or toaster oven) heat corn tortillas shells until warm.

Put two spoon fills of veggie/shrimp mix  to heated corn shells, add avocado ad drizzle sauce over top. 

 

 

 

 

 

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Sweet Potato black bean soup!

by Elo.B on October 2, 2012

I love fall because of changing leaves, soups and wool sweaters. Three of my favourite things! Tonight I decided it was a soup night.

After going through my pantry I decided on a sweet potato and black bean soup with a kick.

Ingredients:

2 medium sweet potato’s pealed

1 can black beans rinsed under water

1 jalapeño pepper dinced

1 cooking onion sliced

4 medium-large cloves of garlic

4 cups of chicken stock/or veggie base

1 package of mushrooms

salt and pepper to taste

Optional (Red Roster brand chilli pepper sauce)

Recipe:

Add olive oil to a heated pan and sauté onions and garlic until tender.

In a large pot heated 4 cups of water to a boil – add broth/base mixture.

Add in onions and garlic, reduce to simmer

(If you are in a rush – put the 2 potatoes in your food processor and grate then add to boiling water to allow for faster cooking)

Otherwise dice and add to base with mushrooms jalapeño peppers, black beans, pepper to taste and continue to cook for 15 minutes.

Add one more cup of water, stirring occasionally and add more low sodium broth to taste if required. I use Better then bullion broth GF option.

Then throw in a blender or food processor for the final blend and it’s ready to serve!

Total cook time about 35 minutes.

Hope you try it an enjoy it as much as I did!

Little note: a garnish would have helped but we started eating to fast and I forgot. Next time I would add a basil leaf or green onion and for the dairy lovers (or eaters like my hubby) a tiny drop of sour cream.

 

 

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Thanksgiving… the hunt is on!

by Elo.B on September 19, 2012

Why? Because it’s one of the best holiday’s…..It’s all about getting together with family, drinking wine and eating yourself into a food comma by 8pm and of course showing appreciation.

This year will mark my first gluten free Thanksgiving and I’ve decided it’s probably time I started contributing to the meal given I’m such a going concern with all my food restrictions. I think I’ve mentioned this in other posts but on top of GF and dairy I am also tomato, pork, salmon, peanut, eggplant (insert +/-15 other items here). Needless to say I am a handful and my family always does such an amazing job at cooking for me I’m going to try to lighten the load by at least one dish!(maybe two if things g well) I figure baby steps before I try to take on the entire meal in a few years.

So the hunt is on! I’m looking for the absolute best thanksgiving side dish. I’ve hit the books and web and think I may have some contestants.

(Image via: Chatelaine.com)

Photo

(in no particular order)

1. Easy Cider Roasted Vegetables ( from the gluten free goddess)

2. Roasted Plum and spinach salad (from Chatelaine) bacon on the side for the rest of the family

3. Bruce’s Favourite Curried Apple and Cauliflower soup (The Gluten-Free Vegan Cook Book by Susan O’Brien)

So here  it goes… over the next week I’ll try them out and let you know if they are suitable based on over all looks,taste and easy of cooking . Stay tuned.

 

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Grocery stores

by Elo.B on September 18, 2012

I love going to NO Frills grocery store because they have great produce and they are so affordable compared to other leading grocery stores in the city. That being said,  I only on shop there for 2/3′s of my list.  If you are looking for GF sauces, pasta, cereals or beads they have nothing! Not even corn pasta. (insert sad face here) 

So for shopping trip part two….

West End of the City:

1.Fiesta Farms. Food Matters. 200 Christie Street  Toronto, ON M6G 3B6
(416) 537-1235

They have everything for pastas, soups, breads, desserts, snacks, cereals, breakfast bars, baking mixes, salad dressings, Indian sauces, Thai sauces, chips, kale chips vegan snacks and so much more. I cannot recommend  this store enough for Vegans, GF(ers) and people just looking for organic alternatives.

East End of the City:

2. The Big Carrot (Natural Food Market) The Big Carrot is located in the Carrot Common Mall (348 Danforth Ave.). 3 Blocks east of Broadview Ave. or 1 block west of the Chester subway. Metered Parking is available on Danforth Ave. and in the Carrot Common parking lot.

This store is not not your average grocery store. They have lectures, cooking classes and nutritional store tours. If your interested check out their website for their Monday night Vegetarian cooking class, they’ve added a few Raw “cooking” classes too!

Downtown: (Yonge and College Street)

3. Bulk Barn:  They have locations all over the city, click the link to find the one closest to you. I love the going here for some staples and mixes. They have awesome Pizza dough mix, pancake mix, brownie mix, bread mixes, cereals and lots more. You can also find packaged items like “healthy” lentil chips, chickpea chips and other interesting snack foods I haven’t found at other locations.

When you’re in a pinch:

3. Loblaws: Located all over the city and a decent option when your in a pinch and don’t have time to make it over to one of the above locations. They have the basics like breads, cereals, Bob’s mixes, crackers, Hummus and other quick fix GF foods.

Know of any great places in the city I should try out?

 

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Sushi spot!

by Elo.B on September 13, 2012

There are a ton of great sushi places in Toronto but there is only one I know of that will fully  accommodates those living a GF lifestyle.

Sushi Supreme on Yonge Street not only carries Gluten Free Soya Sauce but they will also modify rolls to suite your needs. For example I love the yam roll but obviously can’t have have tempura so they steamed the yam instead. They also made me a mushroom rolls sans teriyaki sauce which was much appreciated.

They have two locations in the city but the one I frequent is located on 11995 Yonge Street, Toronto ON (Between Davisville subay station and Eglinton subway station)

Guilty confession: I actually brought a small container of my GF Soya sauce to the restaurant and was fully preapred to sneak it out when the food came but no need, they brought their GF brand for me when I informed them of my “food allergies”. Best day ever!

(image via Blog TO)

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Links I found helpful

by Elo.B on September 13, 2012

My personal  journey going gluten and dairy free this past year has had it’s ups and downs. I’m sure most of you understand dealing with Celiacs and trying to heal your body after years of damage can be challenging. I had to eliminate 25 trigger foods on top of the dairy and gluten just to start the healing process. Needless to say at times I felt overwhelmed and a bit lost.

Below are a few sites I came across and found to be helpful when I needed more answers, support or tips on going gluten free.

1. Celiac.com ( This is my personal favourite, the forums are amazing, they provide up-to-date medical research, food and product updates from manufacturers.)

2. Delight Gluten free magazine  (online magazine which has health fitness, recipes and other current GF topics.

3. Celiac Central (website) National foundation for Celiac Awareness

4. Living without   (blog)

5. Gluten free Goddess  (blog)  I absolutely love this blog.  After going Gf and dairy free I ordered a bunch of recipe books in an effort to expand our meal options. (I found we were eating the same flavours everyday). Some GF books were good and some were big flops. When I stumbled upon her blog it changed the way I approach our meals and I have yet to be disappointed by anything she posts. I would seriously encourage you to try some of her recipes. You won’t regret it!

6. Canadian Celiac Association (association website) Doing what all good associations do! Informing the public, providing information, support and much more.

7. Gluten Free Travel Site (website) They provide lists of GF restaurants around the world so you can travel safely and always find  meal option.

 

More to come!

 

 

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Breakfast options

by Elo.B on September 13, 2012

Berry Blast smoothie

What you’ll need: (Serving for 2)

1/2  cup of non sweetened almond milk

1/4 cup of water

1/4 organic orange  juice

1 cup of blueberries (or mixed dark berries)

1/2 banana (optional)

1 large handful of raw spinach

In a blender add water and almond milk first with frozen berries and blend, then add the fruit juice, spinach and banana half – blend until smooth. (adjust liquid up or down depending on desired thickness)

Mango delight smoothie:

1 cup frozen organic mangos

1 lime (Juice of one fresh lime)

1 cup of organic mango juice

1/2 cup or Greek organic yoghurt

In a blender add lime juice, mango juice and frozen mangos and blend until smooth. Then add the yoghurt and blend and you done!

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Vegan Eats!

by Elo.B on September 13, 2012

If you haven’t been to Live Food Bar in the Annex I highly recommend trying it! It’s so refreshing to have a vegan/raw gluten free (and sugar free) restaurant option in the neighbourhood and I think it’s  a must try for everyone. Even if your not GF it really opens your eyes to how delicious healthy eating can be.

My favourites are they black bean burrito (which is cooked) and the sunshine wrap (raw).  I think I love the wraps so much because it’s the one thing I haven’t really gotten a handle on making at home. Every time I attempt a rice wrap it falls apart before I can get it off the plate.

Other services they offer:

  • Catering for corporate functions, parties and other events (12 or larger).
  • They have a line of raw food products available at their store and other locations in the city. (ex: The Big Carrot)
  • Cooking classes (for groups of 12 or larger)
  • “Raw at home” which has salad dressings, wraps, kale chips, vegan pate and other dips and sauces.
  • Cleanse packages – where you buy mixes for different cleanses they have available.

 

Located at 264 Dupont St.
(North East corner of Dupont and Spadina)
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M5R 1V7

Phone: 416-515-2002

Hours of operation: (take from their website and subject to change)
Monday -Thursday: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm
Friday: 11:30 am – 10:00 pm
Saturday: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (brunch menu)
Saturday: 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm (regular menu)
Sunday: 11:00 am – 3:00 pm (brunch menu)
Sunday: 4:00 pm – 9:00 pm (regular menu)

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Quick food options

by Elo.B on September 11, 2012

I love making things from scratch and trying new recipes but the reality is I don’t always have the energy after a long day at work.  I’m sure I’m not the only one…. So I thought I would share some of my favorite GF products that can help you make a quick, simple meal possible without any worry.  If you have some great GF products that help you get through a busy work week I would love to know! Comments please!

  1. I couldn’t live without Bob’s Red Mill Gluten free mixes. Our fav is his GF pizza crust but he has a bunch of mixes available that includes everything from brownies to cookies to pancakes to alternative flours for baking. See recipe ideas for veggie pesto pizza.
  2. Gluten free granola by Bakery on Main– this is my weakness. I love I so much I try to only eat it on holidays or camping. Weird but true.  This is killer with almond milk!
  3. Enjoy life’s caramel apple bars (I don’t leave the house without one in my purse. Don’t let the size of this bar fool you it’s small but filling!)
  4. Mary’s Organic crackers, jamb packed with quinoa and other healthy whole grains you won’t feel like you’re missing a thing!
  5. Sumerlee’s Hummus if you don’t have the time to make it from scratch. Favorites ‘include Spicy, garlic, avocado and sweet potato. If you can have dairy they have other varieties to try just look for the symbols on the lid which indicated GF, Vegan(dairy free) and Vegetarian. Perfect for apps or a light snack, try carrots, cucumbers, cauliflower, corn chips and rice crackers for dipping.
  6. Amy’s GF dairy free burrito. This is a great in the freezer option. You never know when you won’t have time to make something and this is delicious and takes about 2 minutes to heat up.
  7. Almond milk – none sweetened I love the Almond Breeze brand but I’m sure there all good.
  8. Corn pasta – My preference is 100% corn pasta over rice and the others I have tried.  The rice pasta I’ve personally tried get gluey or slimy after I cook them and running them under cold water doesn’t do it for me. I personally find the corn stays truer to wheat pasta in texture. I’ve heard great things about quinoa pasta but have yet t find it locally.

Enjoy!

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