Gluten free (west) Chicago, Pt. 3

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When traveling to Chicago, we don’t always go downtown. In fact, with family in the burbs, we tend to spend a lot of time in the St. Charles, Geneva and Batavia areas.

There are so many quaint places that have amazing gluten free options out that way. In fact, this is just a few of my favorites. 

Mother’s Pancake House in St. Charles has gluten free pancakes and French toast, which is always a treat! Their gf pancakes are also dairy and egg free. I can’t help but endulge for French toast!


I will also visit Sweet Natalie’s in Geneva for treats. They have an ever rotating variety of baked goods, in a dedicated gluten free facility. Many of their items are also dairy free, as Wells’s other allergens. @sweet_natalies


Dinner usually finds us at Crosstown pub and Grill in Batavia. They have so many options that are unique, creative and tasty. You really feel like they spent some time putting a menu together that would be satisfying. Not just food but libations as well. They carry an array of gluten free beers that would encourage beer lovers to stop in too.


Don’t forget west Chicago and the burbs for gluten free food options. While these are just the highlights, I’m sure there will be more to share in the future. Follow my blog for update notifications!

Gluten free Chicago, Pt. 2

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If we aren’t too full from day one, we usually wake up to more of our Do-rite donuts. When we order them, we get two dozen so there’s enough to eat when traveling and freeze the rest when we get home. 


We love to hop on the water taxi for a ride through town. It’s the best way to see the sights and a great way to avoid traffic. Non-holidays are $9 pp for an all day ticket so it’s also economical.

We usually pick up the taxi at the Michigan avenue location (at the base of the Trump tower) and ride it to China Town. In China town we visit Honey Dessert, located in La Mom Kitchen. They offer a unique array of chilled desserts that are gluten free. My favorite is shaved green tea ice and my kids like the smoothies with Boba. 


After our treat, we ride the water taxi back into town and catch a light dinner that is quick and casual. After a long day in the hot sun walking long distances, it’s usually a great time to grab something that doesn’t leave the kids waiting. Snap kitchen is one of the best to fill this gluten free need. @snapkitchen snapkitchen.com or download their app for pre-orders.

You can choose light or heavy, hot or cold and heat them up in the microwaves on site. It’s a grab and go pre-prepared meal haven. In fact, you can purchase meals ( like this lasagna) for the week if you want to!

My trips usually consist of a lot of walking and eating. Hopefully they balance each other out! 

Gluten free Chicago, Pt. 1

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We love a quick trip to Chicago!

Since we live in the Indy area, we tend to take our quick weekends away in the Chicago area.

We find so many adventures and amazing foods from the plethora of available resources.

Stop one on my journey is always Do-rite donuts. They have the most amazing gf cake donuts in cinnamon, chocolate glazed, pistachio and birthday cake. For the 4th, they made them red, white and blue!


They also have an app, which I highly recommend downloading. When you place an order in advance, they will either hold it for pick up or deliver it to you (even in your hotel room) at the time you choose, for a nominal delivery fee.

Do this! Use the app and order ahead. They run out of gluten free donuts… and for good reason. They are amazing!! @doritedonuts

Nothing goes better with an amazing donut than an equally impressive cup of coffee. It just so happens that Do-rite carrys my favorite brand of coffee, Dark Matter. However, it’s worth a drive to their mothership for a latte. The mothership is their anchor store at 738 N Western Ave. @darkmattercoffee


The next stop on the journey is usually Toni Patisserie for macaroons. Their home made gluten free almond flour recipe will make you feel like you have stepped into France. @tonipatisseriecafe


Right around the corner is Le Pain Quotidien @lepainquotidien and although most of their baked items are off limits, my kids love their flourless chocolate chocolate cookies. Go early if you don’t want to miss out. They are huge!


I never claimed that my favorites were low calorie but they are gluten free and delicious! Stay tuned and follow my blog for more in the gluten free Chicago series! @chicago

Gluten Free Trader Joes

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The staple gluten free items available at Trader Joe’s are endless and cost effective. If you are lucky enough to have access to one near your home or while traveling, you will find consistency in their offerings. 

While on our current trip to Chicago, I was able to score a room at the Homewood suites. We like staying here because one room has a living area with a fold out sofa for the kids as well as a refrigerator, stove and microwave. 

This allows us to pop into Trader Joe’s, pick up some favorites and be prepared for back up meals.

My typical buy list (at home) consists of:

Gluten free rolled oats

Gluten free pretzels

Joe Joe’s Gluten free cookies

BBQ sauce

Gluten free chicken breast nuggets (frozen)

Gluten free multi grain bread

Gluten free cornbread mix

Gluten free mini chicken tacos (frozen)

Broccoli and kale slaw (bag mix)

Organic creamy tomato soup

Taco seasoning mix!!! (I use it for chili too)

Fruit bars (variety)

Individual bags kettle corn

On the road, these help us out:


Add to it their gorgeous and affordable flowers, fresh fruit a plenty and variety of vegetables (chopped, frozen and in fresh picked form) and you have more than enough variety for a cost effective, allergy friendly diet. 

In the frozen veggie section you can also find chopped cauliflower, shelled edamame, shredded carrots, organic corn and more!

Stop in. Grab a list of gluten free options from the desk and shop a plenty!

Light and fresh smoothie

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I love the plethora of fresh fruit options this time of year. If you like a think and chunky smoothie, freeze them first. This one was light and refreshing with fresh fruit. 

1 nectarine

2 slices watermelon chunked

1T honey

1scoop protein powder

1C water (or juice for additional sweetness)

This was really light and fresh and didn’t taste like protein at all. Enjoy!

Yoga is so… hot!

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Yes, it’s hot. I suppose that’s why it’s called hot yoga. However, it serves with double meaning, as a noun and and adjective. 

As one of the most trendy forms of exercise today, hot yoga is HOT on the market; new, popular, exciting and a must try. 

Now, lets discuss the temperature. Yes, it’s hot. Blazing. Overwhelming. But stay with me. It’s worth trying. 

The first time my friend tried to introduce me I freaked. I hate being hot. I hate sweating. I wondered how I could possibly enjoy this activity. But I went…

Before I get to the results, let me give you a few tips on how to prepare. Eat light. I like evening classes. Those are not the days for Mexican food for lunch unless you want to try and fight to keep in down during class. Eat things that your body will easily digest, it will serve as fuel and not be sitting in your gut while you are trying to fold your body in half.

Next, drink an electrolyte drink before class. You will be hot. You will sweat. You need to prep your body so you don’t pass out or feel dizzy. My doctor recommended Endura from Metagenics. It works amazing for me, is gluten free and doesn’t contain extra sugars or unnatural ingredients.

Take a yoga mat and a beach towel to lay over the top to soak up sweat. Yes, even princesses sweat enough in hot yoga to need something to soak it up and help you maintain your footing. 

Last, take a hand towel that is absorbent, a water bottle that is completely full of ice, wear a headband and wear compression type yoga shorts and a tank top. There are skilled people who use yoga pants (even extra long ones) but as you are adjusting to the temps, it will make your body happy to breath. 

Back to my experience…

I started slow, took breaks when I needed them and I tried the poses as best I could. I quickly realized that my body was much more flexible than I expected, I detoxed all the gunk out of my pores and I made it! Then, after a cool shower, I slept like a baby. The. Best. Sleep.

So, if you are considering it but unsure, try it! Try the 60 minute class first (as opposed to the 90) but try it. Most will let you try a class, attend as a guest or use a “community”rate/class so you don’t have to sign up without knowing if you like it. 

I go to The Hot Room Indianapolis and they offer an introductory rate for the first month to get you hooked. It works. 

Hearty gluten free smoothie

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I need something filling in the morning or I will resort to carbs every time. In my desire to get fit, I’m trying to make healthier allergy friendly food choices. 

This is a smoothie recipe I put together with some of my favorite foods. It blends better than you think and the avocado wouldn’t even be detective by people who avoid eating green things that aren’t a lifesaver.

1 Avocado

1 C frozen berries

1T Honey

1 Scoop Greek Yogurtein Coconut Flavor protein powder

1T Lemon juice

2C water

Blend in magic bullet and drink immediately!

Gluten free meals, fast

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I’m convinced that if my life were in TV it would be a timed cooking show. You know… here’s eight random ingredients, two hungry kids and thirty minutes until bedtime… now go!

That’s why it’s always a good idea for me to have gluten free corn dogs, chicken nuggets and frozen burgers on hand.

I’d love to say that I could think of something palatable to make out of avocado, apples, frozen hamburger meat, eggs and almond milk. Chances are pretty good, even if I were to whip it up, I would receive a big, fat “eww gross” from my mini audience.

I’ve vowed to try and take some of my kids favorite restaurant meals and replicate them in house. This will save time, money and the entertainment factor of our traveling road show, at bedtime.

Considering my narrow window for meal consumption, the prep time needs to be virtually non-existent. That’s why most of my meals can be completed in thirty minutes.

A couple of things I avoid when cooking are large prep times and mixing blends of flours. No thank you. I will be utilizing mixes whenever possible.

Check out some of my easy recipes for families on the go!

A hint… my favorite appliance is the
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Gluten free beef and broccoli 

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I love Chinese food!

Unfortunately, 98% of the restaurants seem to use gluten filled soy sauce. I usually limit my orders to either mei fun (for the kids) or moo goo gai pan (or other non breaded dishes with white sauce).

Thus, I was inspired to whip up some beef and broccoli with gluten free soy sauce. Like most of my recipes… it’s super easy.

4lb ribeye steaks (if fresh, cut into strips)

4 stalks broccoli (fresh)

1.5c water (or beef broth)

1/4C La Choy Soy Sauce

1/4C Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce

2C frozen onions

Cook in the “magic pot” or //ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=gftifshealtht-20&marketplace=amazon&region=US&placement=B001A62O1G&asins=B001A62O1G&linkId=1b4e4c2fb1dd2fce64c05d79954757e5&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&price_color=e629dd&title_color=e633c8&bg_color=faf5fa Fagor Electric Pressure Cooker for 10 minutes. Put sauce in last, over entire mixture. If frozen meat is used, cut into strips after cooking.

Dip veggies and sauce over the meat in bowls.

Chow.

The Gluten Free Pizza debacle

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Being lied to is not on the top of my Christmas list. I understand the concept of proprietary information and I appreciate restaurants being cutting edge but come on, people! Do not lie to me.

When it comes to how restaurant staff answer a question about ingredients, products, prep area, contamination and the like, I expect them to take me seriously. Very seriously.

I went into Giordanos, Indianapolis location for lunch. It was the first time since the nationally recognized, Chicago pizza chain moved in and having popped in once while in chi-town, I figured it would be a pleasant experience. 

I called them to verify the brand of pizza crust to ensure it was both gluten and rice free. On the phone I was told they make it there, yet they threw away the packaging and I’d have to call Chicago if I wanted any further info. 

Uh, wait… what? If you make it there, why would there be packaging to throw away? Ok. So, I called Chicago. They too had, surprisingly, thrown away the packaging and were unable to verify the brand of crust but alas, somehow they managed to have all the ingredients available. Hmmm…

Fortunately, she was able to give me the ingredients and indeed, it was rice free as well. Oh, and side note, they are pre-made frozen crusts. I guess the other girl wasn’t there on that training day.

I was also informed they have dedicated pans for gluten free cooking but use the same prep space as their flour filled, dough flinging step brother. Great.

The kids and I emerged unscathed from this one but I have to admit, I’d love a tour and a chat with someone transparent enough to share how the process, product and prep is really handled for future visits and the health of other celiacs. 

May the sauce be with you.