The Celiathlete

January 13, 2014

The Dopey Challenge – Orlando, FL (January 9-12, 2014)

Forget Goofy.

I went Dopey.

Yes…Dopey.

This was the inaugural year for the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge. Prior to this, the main event was the Goofy Challenge, which involved running the Disney World Half Marathon and the Disney World Marathon (a grand total of 39.3 miles) back-to-back. But, with the addition of the brand spankin’ new 10K race on Friday…a new challenge was born.

Four races. Four Days. A total of 48.6 miles.

So…this is how it works:

Thursday – Disney Family Fun Run 5K
Friday – Disney World 10K
Saturday – Disney World Half Marathon
Sunday – Disney World Marathon

The payoff? I walk away with 6 race t-shirts and 6 finisher’s medals. Yep. Six. Because included in this package is the t-shirts and medals for the Goofy Challenge AND the Dopey Challenge.

So, not really having told many people that I was doing the Inaugural Dopey Challenge (it’s the first year…which means it will be the year it is the cheapest to run…TRUST ME!), I hopped a plane to Orlando Florida on Wednesday morning, leaving behind the frigid temps in Louisville for the warm, 66 degrees at Disney World. After a stop at the grocery store for some necessities and getting checked into my resort (staying at Port Orleans Riverside…again!), Cathy and I boarded the shuttle bus to the ESPN Wild World of Sports where the race expo was being held. It was a hike to get there and we couldn’t find the way to get down to the packet pick-up level…until it was mentioned that there were stairs hidden behind the photo booth. Well…that makes sense, right?! I went and retrieved my packet for the Dopey Challenge, and was told my green bib is for me to wear during the 5K and 10K races. And the gray bib is for me to wear for the Half Marathon and Marathon races. I went to retrieve the commemorative pin I had pre-ordered and then hurried off to get my t-shirts. I got five of them at this part of the expo, but had to go somewhere else to retrieve the 5K one. In fact, the better part of the expo was where the 5K t-shirt pickup was happening. I didn’t have much time to linger, but hit up the Official Merchandise booth…snagging all the pins for each race. Cathy surprised me with a new BondiBand, a lanyard, and a decal for my car. WOOOOOO!!

We had reservations at Sanaa for dinner, so we couldn’t linger, but said after we ate we would return to the expo to do some shopping. My dinner was awesome…loving some Indian food as always. Then…back to the expo we went. I purchased some goodies…like more KT Tape…and had them tape up my Achilles. Hope that it lasts through these races. Cathy paid close attention to the technique and took pictures so we can probably replicate it if needed. This is the best my Achilles has felt though…so here’s hoping. Going to be interesting to see what happens at the 5K tomorrow morning.

After some browsing, shopping, and some talking me out of purchases, we headed back to the shuttles to return to the resort. The 5K race kicks off at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday morning and is the only one that won’t require a 2 a.m. wake-up. I will definitely enjoy that. Read on…for race reports on each of the 4 races in 4 days.

Me after finishing the Disney World Family Fun 5K — Me after finishing the Disney Family Fun 5K

Disney Family Fun Run 5K

Race: Disney Family Fun Run 5K

Place: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Date: January 9, 2014

Time: 24:15

This was not a fast 5K. This was nowhere near a fast 5K. With about 10,000 people running in it, speed was hindered by sheer volume. Masses of people were everywhere…and I was in Corral A. So…take that for what it’s worth. Huge field. Lots of places where you were basically bottle-necked by other participants. Expected.

But still a good time.

And let me tell you…it did my heart good to get out on the road again. Race. Breathe. Struggle. Feel. It was therapy after having taken 3 long weeks off from running, save for 2 deliberate runs…one on Saturday and one on Tuesday before coming to Florida.

The Achilles was a little tender in the morning. I was taped up…but stiff. So, that was a bit disheartening, but with the 3:30 a.m. wake up alarm, I was out of bed and getting into costume bright and early. I was dressing as a Minion. Yes…I realize that Despicable Me is NOT a Disney movie…but…I had to be a Minion. It had to happen. And it did. And, despite the humidity and 56 degree temperature that morning, I even wore the knit cap as part of my costume. I knew I’d regret those long sleeves and the hat, but…it’s Disney…and I must run in costume.

I was up and dressed and then had to get Cathy up and moving. Our breakfast was a Greek yogurt…we took bananas to go. Once she was dressed, we headed out to catch the shuttle bus to take us to the race start. I was going to meet up with my friend Andrea. Soon after arriving, we went to the reunion area…where I had a few people ask to have pictures with me. Who doesn’t love a Minion? And then it started to rain a little. A sprinkling…but rain nonetheless.

Andrea texted and soon Cathy and I were heading over to where she was hanging out with her husband. We relaxed pre-race by chatting and talking about pretty much everything. Andrea had some other friends that were on their way to join us. And soon after…Cathy was wishing me luck and we were being ushered into our corrals.

The corrals were filled…and we all noted most of the runners were doing the Dopey…very few just had on 5K race bibs. There were some…but not many. We were soon after being let out of our corral to walk to the starting area. I heard Cathy’s sign for me get called out…which was awesome! After the National Anthem, the wheelchair racers were sent off. And a few moments later…the rest of us.

Totally caught up in the moment, I was out of the starting gate and running behind a large group of people. They held my beginning speed really in check, which, with this injury I’m nursing, was probably a good thing. But the further I ran, the better my Achilles felt. So, I bobbed and weaved my way through the crowd as much as humanly possible. It was no easy task, especially at the water stops. This race is run through Epcot. With the sprinkling rain, we were warned that some areas on the course might be slick. They weren’t kidding, but I managed to navigate them well enough.

I was frustrated with the crowds, but it’s a Disney race…that’s to be expected. I pushed on, rocking out all sub-8 miles…not bad for someone dealing with Achilles tendonitis. And it had been forever since I truly have been able to run sub-8…as this body does not react well to cold weather. At all. It tightens up and slows down. Give me heat any day.

Running in the shadow of Epcot was awesome! We dashed through Future World and then through the International Showcase. A lot of employees were out to cheer us on…and some to direct us on the right path toward the finish. I loved running past the giant Epcot ball and toward that finish line. I love seeing that finish at Disney races. There is something so thrilling about it.

I crossed it, still feeling good without much pain. Cathy saw me and started down. She went to toss me a water bottle, but I told her I wouldn’t be able to catch it. A very nice guy came over to catch it for me. He was awesome. I went around the corner where I was handed more water…a snack pack…and my Finisher’s Medal. As part of the Dopey Challenge, I had to get in a line to get a bracelet saying that I completed the 5K race. After that…I was out and meeting up with Cathy.

We had some plans for Hollywood Studios that day, so after returning to our resort, I showered, dressed, and we headed out for breakfast at Babycakes NYC in Downtown Disney and then some rides and shows at Hollywood Studios. Of course, I am totally feeling that run now in my Achilles. I’m hoping that the pain goes away over night. I’m still KT Taped and I just had Cathy tape up my feet…just for some extra help. Here’s hoping.

Tomorrow morning…another early morning…another race. This time…the Disney World 10K.

Disney World 10K

Race: Disney World 10K

Place: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Date: January 10, 2014

Time: 50:30

It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t pretty. In fact…it was hot and humid and just plain gross! Welcome to Orlando, Florida in January, folks.

And welcome to the Inaugural Disney World 10K. This is the very first year the 10K has been a part of this race weekend. Exciting to be part of the first group who runs it. Honestly. I think it’s awesome.

The morning started very early with my 3 a.m. alarm. I got up so that I could get into costume and get ready before today’s insanity spiraled out of control. I love to have a firm grip of my morning on race days. Cathy was up 15 minutes after me and we both enjoyed some Greek yogurt and water before gathering up our stuff to head out to the shuttle which would take us back to the starting area.

The ground was soaking wet. Soaking wet. Mostly because with the humidity, none of the water from the previous day of pouring rain really dried up. Puddles and wetness. Fun, fun.

This was the 10K and I was dressed up as Eeyore…complete with ears and tail. HA! Like I said…when I run Disney, I gotta dress up. At least I was a Disney character this time. Hahaha! Anyway, we got through the security check and instead of heading over to where they do bag check, Cathy and I immediately headed in to the starting area. We were meeting up with Andrea, Aaron, and Silvia again for pre-race shenanigans and the like. I remembered to stretch more today. Probably should have done more than I ended up doing…but at least I stretched. And I ate my prerequisite before-the-race banana.

We took a few photos together and then were being ushered into our corrals. We were all in A…so that worked out nicely. And we also knew that the further back in the corral you were, the closer to the front you ended up being. But, we stuck around where we were yesterday and just followed the crowd. The wheelchair racers were being sent off at 5:30 and Corral A was 2 minutes after that.

Exciting. Because after the National Anthem, we were pretty much ready to run. I told myself to take this one easy…and I vowed to do just that. When the fireworks were set off and we began moving to the start line, I kept telling myself to take it easy. After all, I still had 39.3 miles to run in the next two days. So, I kept to my promise and found a comfortable pace to start. Immediately after turning out of the park, we were put on this long and dull stretch of highway. Mile 1 was marked and then we took a sharp right turn and got sent up a hill. I think spinning and strength training are helping me hone in on my hill work. Because it didn’t slow me down at all. Perhaps I’m also just used to steeper hills. HAHA! That could be it. Miles 2 through 3 were marked by the highway…nothing to really distract you. There were a couple of character shots along the way…but not many. After hitting the halfway point…the fun started.

EPCOT! Again…but slightly different. This time, we took a longer loop through the World Showcase. It was beautifully lit up. And, dammit, if I didn’t enter Epcot and immediately hear the Tiki Room song. That song is worse than It’s A Small World. Trust me! But, off we were. I took in water at Mile 4 from the water station, because it was so humid and I didn’t want to get dehydrated. From a girl who ran a half marathon in this sort of weather…best to not press your luck. Over the boardwalks, over bridges, through the World Showcase…it was so much fun. The employees and members of the Cheer Squad were out to give support and guide us on the correct path.

As we came out of one of the back lots and towards the ball (which in the 10K you don’t run around), we were informed that we were close to the end. Sure enough…that finish line was around the corner and down a stretch of pavement. The sidelines were filled with people cheering. The DJs were announcing people. MarathonPhoto was out in hoards getting those finish line shots.

I crossed. Not happy with my time…but knowing that taking it easy due to injury…as well as having two very long races back-to-back in the next couple days…well…that was good. Honestly, I’m just happy to be out there. I’m loving it.

Of course, I am currently showered, sitting in my hotel room with a bag of ice on my Achilles. It’s feeling it today. Heading out to Animal Kingdom in a few. It’s going to be a fun…relaxing day.

Two down…two to go!

Join us for the inaugural Walt Disney World® 10K. This 6.2 mile course is the perfect distance for runners of all skill levels. Winding throughout Epcot® and the scenic World Showcase, it is the newest way to be part of the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend.

Disney World Half Marathon

Race: Disney World Half Marathon

Place: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Date: January 11, 2014

Time: 1:51:43

UGH! UGH!! First of all, after spending all day at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios yesterday, my legs were feeling it this morning. I was already intending to take this one easy. So, that was okay. No problem. I had two alarms set this morning. One for 2 a.m. Then one for an hour later. That would give me ample time to get ready and then get Cathy up so we could get going. Not sure of when the sun would officially be up, I slathered on some sunscreen. Didn’t need it. I was done before the sun was up, but we were running through 99% humidity. So it was beyond gross!!

I dressed as Wonder Woman for this race…and kept it to just the bra top out of fear of having too much clothing on in this humidity. It was a wise chose, as I found out later. So, looking all adorable as Wonder Woman…it was time to get my third race in as many days on.

We made the walk from our room to the shuttle that would take us over to the race…as usual. I was expecting the bus to be cold, but for the first time…it wasn’t. I was shocked. Anyway, we arrived and I headed over to where I was supposed meet up with Andrea and Aaron again. They weren’t there yet, so I texted to find out where they were. Turns out they were stuck in traffic. My corral was already being called to get people inside…which felt early to me, but I keep forgetting that Disney World literally sends you on a hike to your corrals, especially those beginning letters in the alphabet. For the Disney World Half Marathon and Disney World Marathon, I’m in Corral B.

I ate my banana on the way to the corral and made it there with 15 minutes to spare. Ironically, this guy we kept seeing in the recovery area wearing only a speedo…was next to me in the corral. In only his red speedo. I hope he has a lot of red speedos, I’m just saying. They did their usual interviews. Not any celebs that I’ve heard of this time. Jeff Galloway was up there talking. The National Anthem was sung. And then Donald (this race’s character) came out to count off the wheelchair racers. But he brought along Mickey and Goofy too. The wheelchair racers were off just after 5:30 a.m. Then, 2 minutes later…Corral A was sent off. As my corral was moved up toward the start, “It’s A Small World” started to play on the speaker. The announcer said, “Congratulations, Corral B. You get ‘It’s A Small World’ stuck in your head for the next 13.1 miles.” It made me laugh. 2 minutes after Corral A had left, Donald gave us a “Ready…Set…GO!” Fireworks. We were off.

I knew this was going to be a tough one. First of all, I’m injured. Still. Secondly…I ran a 5K and a 10K the two days prior to this one. Thirdly…I was tired. These 3:00 a.m. mornings SUCK! And this was my third morning in a row with one. So, I chose to set an easy pace and try to stick with it.

The problem was that humidity. It was like back when I ran the Indy Women’s Half Marathon and practically died afterwards due to the high humidity. Like breathing through a wet towel. That’s what this felt like. Just like the Indianapolis race, I was already drenched with sweat before I hit that first mile. And that is not a good feeling. I wanted to take this one easier than usual anyway, so I didn’t push it. Not here to PR…just here for some fun and to finish all four races.

That being said, this course was the exact replica of the Disney Princess Half Marathon, which I ran last February. I knew that the first four miles were nothing but highway. And, save for the characters and some entertainment…can make for some rather boring miles. Thankfully, Disney is good about putting people out there to cheer, characters to break of the monotony, and music too. As you come into Mile 4, you enter Magic Kingdom. The most exciting part is just before Mile 6, when you run through Cinderella’s Castle. This is, by far, my favorite part of any Disney race. Send me through that castle. I was smiling the entire time.

After exiting Magic Kingdom, it was back out onto the highway. Ugh. I took in some GU and water, and was making a point now of using the water at water stops both for sipping and for pouring over my head. That felt amazing and definitely helped keep my body temperature down. Around the midway point, the speaker system was blaring this weekend’s theme song, “Let It Go” from Frozen. The highway, complete with characters and water stops was my path from the 10K mark to just around Mile 12. There were a couple of hills there at the end. I think the last half of the half marathon is far more difficult than the beginning. In fact, just before hitting Mile 12, you’re sent up a ramp and over a bridge that is over the highway. When you come down the other side, you’re at Mile 12 and about to enter Epcot.

I was happy to hit that mark and just decided to take it easy and cruise into the finish line. Epcot sends us in to run around the ball, make a turn, and come back on the other side of the ball. You round a corner, and that finish line comes into view. I was so happy to cross that finish line. But, I didn’t push too much. In fact, I was flexing some muscle at photographers, LOL! Leave it to me getting into Wonder Woman mode.

After crossing the finish line, I was handed my medal. Cathy spotted me up in the crowd and was cheering from the stands. She headed down and I walked through to get my bracelet showing that I completed the half marathon in my quest for the Dopey Challenge. Once I had that bracelet on, I was through to get photos taken with the backdrop, get a snack pack, then head out through bag check. Cathy was waiting for me on the other side. I told her I was gross but to come give me a hug. She brought a towel and managed to get the sweat off me for the time.

I wanted my finisher’s photo taken with the Disney Half Marathon backdrop. And Pluto just happened to be there. So…I had the chance to give Pluto a hug and pose with him. It was awesome.

Afterwards, we headed over to our shuttle. Cathy had me put my feet up so she could get working on my Achilles, to hopefully keep it from aching too much. We got back to the resort, back to the room, where I showered. We ate breakfast and got ready to head out to Epcot for the day. Then back over to Hollywood Studios for dinner…at Mama Melrose’s again. This time for pasta. I had a gluten-free pasta dish that was huge. In fact…I maybe was able to eat 1/3 of it. Because I just didn’t want to stuff myself full before a race.

I’m icing my Achilles at the moment, relaxing, and prepping for some foam rolling. Then, just getting some last minute things together for the early wake-up call that awaits.

One more.

I have a feeling it won’t be pretty. I get to meet the characters tomorrow!

Disney World Marathon

Race: Disney World Marathon

Place: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida

Date: January 12, 2014

Time: 4:00:04

I went into this race with no expectations for speed. There was no way my legs were going to be up to any record setting. So, my entire plan for this marathon was to fall into an easy pace, take some pictures with the characters, and just have some fun. And that’s what I did.

Which was a good plan because my morning was a little more stressful than intended. The problem wasn’t so much in the getting ready part. Nope. Getting into my Snow White costume (made for me by my co-worker Andrea at the very last minute…and she did an awesome job!) was easy. Sunscreen. Easy. Prepping for the weather (humidity way down and actually a bit cool)…easy. Getting to the shuttle. Easy. Getting to the race…not as easy. In fact, I barely got to the corrals in time for the start. Seriously. The traffic was awful heading to the start area. And it was just a mess. So, when I got there, it was just in time to be told that I had 30 minutes to the start of the race and a 20 minute walk to the starting line. I quickly jammed the banana I brought with me down my throat, got a good luck hug from Cathy and headed toward the corrals.

But, I got there…just in time for the moment of silence, the national anthem, and have Mickey, Goofy and Donald come up on stage. Dopey even made an appearance…for obvious reasons. Mickey counted down the wheelchair racers and they were sent off with fireworks. Corral A was next, about 2 minutes later. Then my corral, Corral B, was sent off 2 minutes after that.

This race made me realize that I have some pretty amazing and really loud friends. Despite being across the highway, I could hear Cathy screaming at me as I started off on the highway toward Magic Kingdom. It made me smile. I gave her a wave. It reminded me of Heather at Chicago. Hahaha!! My friends are made of awesome.

Miles 1-4 are, as in my previous Disney World half marathons, spent out on the highway. Cathy went to catch the monorail to try to see me at Mile 4, but I apparently beat her there. So…whoops. She decided to try again at Magic Kingdom…but I had beat her there too. Oh well. Out of that…she did get to see the awesomeness that is the crowd at Magic Kingdom. It’s why that is my favorite part of any Disney race. Hands down. Miles 4-5 are spent in the Magic Kingdom…where crowds and Disney cast members are out to cheer you on. Just before Mile 6, as before, is the run through Cinderella’s Castle. It is the part I always look forward to on these runs.

After exiting the castle, it’s a short dash out of the Magic Kingdom and back out onto the road. I kept to my plan to keep it easy and meet some characters. Along the way, I made some stops for some classics and favorites. The next 6 miles were all highway miles…so the characters helped break that up. Our next stop…Animal Kingdom.

Normally, around Mile 12, I would be taking in a GU…but we were entering Animal Kingdom, so I didn’t want to tear into a GU packet when they are so strict about what is in their park due to the animals. So, I waited until I exited Animal Kingdom to do that. This was the smallest amount of time spent in a park. Less than a mile. But the employees were so awesome…and as we entered some had the animals out on the corner to welcome us.

After Animal Kingdom, we hit the highway roads again for 4 miles…taking us to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. I loved running through here. Just before entering the motor speedway (going down and then up very steep inclines), the very last lady at a water stop was handing out cold, wet towels. I told her she was my favorite person of the moment, and took one to wring over my head. The weather was cooler…but the sun was up. So…it felt amazing. Ran the complex to the track…made a circuit…then back on out to head back toward the highway. Next stop…Hollywood Studios.

Park 3 of 4 shows up just before Mile 23. Again, you’re not in this park for long, but I was loving running through there. I have spent a lot of time in Hollywood Studios this time around. So, this felt like home. As I was exiting the park, however, I noticed Dopey…and of course needed to get my picture taken with him. Turned around and hurried back to do just that. I mean…come on! I was dressed as Snow White doing the Dopey Challenge. It was a must!

From there, it was on the boardwalk of the Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club Resort…which took us to Epcot. The finish was a mile away, but there were characters that caught my attention. Including Belle. I met Belle the previous day, but now I was dressed up as Snow White, at the request of my niece Kaytlynn, whose favorite Disney princess is…Belle. This had to happen. Unplanned photos that were totally worth it.

The entire race, I was getting a lot of “GO SNOW! GO SNOW WHITE! GO PRINCESS!” The spectators at Disney races are awesome…when you have them. But for long stretches you don’t. That’s why they have a great set of volunteers who fill in those gaps. Disney has their act together and really knows how to put on a race.

This was not a fast race, nor was it a pretty race. Running 4 races in 4 days was a nice challenge, but made extra difficult due to my Achilles tendonitis. That, in and of itself, took me out of training for this series…so I just had to take it easy on all of the races…and run them on a wing and a prayer. My goals were to finish and to do so without doing damage to myself. I did both.

Anyway…back to the marathon…

But…at Mile 26, the gospel choir was singing and I made the turn to take me to the homestretch to the finish line. I crossed the line, in 4:00:04, which was amazing, considering I made character stops, walked some water stops, and ran this with an injury that crippled my training and involved more KT Tape than I care to admit to even make it possible for me to run. I received 3 medals today – one for completing the Disney World Marathon, one for the Goofy Challenge, and one for the Dopey Challenge. WOOHOO! CHA-BLING!

Dopey was an expensive adventure, but one that I enjoyed. I’m just thankful I get to sleep in past 3 a.m. tomorrow.

I’m ready for another adventure, Disney. Give it to me.

My medals from the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend - (r - l) - Disney Family Fun Run 5k, Disney World Inaugural 10K, Disney World Half marathon, Disney World Marathon, Goofy Challenge, Inaugural Dopey Challenge — My medals from the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – (r – l) – Disney Family Fun Run 5k, Disney World Inaugural 10K, Disney World Half marathon, Disney World Marathon, Goofy Challenge, Inaugural Dopey Challenge

January 8, 2014

Product Review: Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites

Product: Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites – $5.69+

Sometimes, when I get my roommate a little tipsy and then take her grocery shopping, I get to purchase some of the products I’ve practically salivated over trying since I spotted them, but get told “next week” by the roommate and then “next week” turns into never. Song and dance of my life since having to change my diet over two years ago.

So…when I mix in a little alcohol and a twist of grocery shopping, sometimes I can worm a few products into the cart that normally wouldn’t be allowed due to the tight food budget. Ah…I miss drunken grocery shopping.

However, on one such occasion when it happened…I managed to get my roommate to agree to the purchase of Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites. They intrigued me. They looked…interesting, sounded phenomenal, and weren’t too difficult to prepare. So, at first glance in the freezer section, they were a win with me. I kept pointing them out to my roommate on each venture to the grocery store…but the hint never sunk in. The “next week” line was given. Or…the budget was waved in front of my nose.

*sigh*

But…suddenly…she her grocery shopping tyrant barriers were down…and I had one shot. And…persistence and patience paid off. For sure. Because these little treats were in the basket, rung up at the register, and in my freezer before she could sober up.

According to Hilary’s Eat Well Web site, the company is dedicating to making delicious, convenient, and amazing food that is always gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, egg-free, soy-free, yeast-free, and nut-free. The company is best known for their original product, The World’s Best Veggie Burger, which debuted at owner Hilary Brown’s restaurant, Local Burger, in Lawrence, Kansas. With customer demand so high, Hilary’s Eat Well was developed so that she could bring her culinary creations to people who want to live healthy and sustainable lives, but still eat food that is easy to prepare at home and tastes great. The rest of the products that have been created since…must live up to these expectations.

So, why the Original Veggie Bites? What was it that made me glance at them on more than one occasion? They just sounded…interesting. Different. And, yes…all the “free from” on the packaging was also a draw. I love being able to tell if I can safely eat something quickly without having to pull it out of the freezer or off the shelf. So, that helped.

As I am prepping for a journey out of town, my CSA bin goodies have all been used up, I’m trying to keep the clean eating vibe going. These definitely, while processed, fit that bill. And they were easy enough to make, allowing for a stress-free dinner tonight. My roommate and I just split the bag between the two of us.

Cooking them is super easy. The packaging gives two options: oven and skillet. I love to bake things up in my oven, so I chose that option instead of pulling out a frying pan and oil. Besides, given the option, I always bake rather than fry. So, I set the oven for 400°F and put the Original Veggie Bites on a baking sheet. Then, into the oven they went, for 20 minutes. I flipped them over halfway through the baking process. I will say…they smelled phenomenal as they cooked up. And when they were done, I let them stand for 2 minutes, then served them up with some steamed broccoli. Healthy dinner, yes?

Of course…because Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites are made from real ingredients. Seriously. In fact, the packaging lists water, organic millet, organic quinoa, organic expeller-pressed coconut oil, organic spinach, organic onion, organic garlic, organic psyllium husk powder, organic arrowroot, organic sweet potato, real salt, and organic apple cider vinegar. See…real…organic…ingredients.

And a serving…get this…is 2 of the Original Veggie Bites. My roommate and I each had 8 bites each. These 2 Original Veggie Bites serve up only 40 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. These tasty bites are cholesterol free and a serving only has 140 mg of sodium. Love that low sodium! In addition, a serving will also give you 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. So, probably not the most filling thing you can eat…but I’m still full and I ate 2 hours ago.

But…how do they taste? Hmm? Well…they taste like really amazing tater tots. The texture is even very similar to tater tots. You can really taste the quinoa and the veggies. I loved how they crisped up on the outside, getting that nice golden crust, and then were soft and savory in the middle. These were one of the most amazing things I have eaten from the grocer’s freezer in a long time. And it really makes me excited to try the veggie burger mentioned above in the very near future. These are honestly fantastic. I think they may always be kept in stock in my freezer. I love an easy meal. And one that is good for you too.

I was beyond impressed with my first taste of a product from Hilary’s Eat Well. I have only heard good things about this company and look forward (and even anticipate) my next purchase of one of these delicious products. Honestly, if you find them in your freezer…purchase them immediately and enjoy them for yourself.

I’m won over by Hilary’s Eat Well. For real.

Hilary's Eat Well Original Veggie Bites (baked) — Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites (baked)

January 5, 2014

Product Review: Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese

Product: Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese – $8.00

The weather is getting colder. In fact, tomorrow, here, it isn’t even supposed to crack 0°F. No joke. That’s not common around here, not as of late anyway…but that is so freakin’ cold. And that makes me an unhappy girl. Trust me. I. HATE. COLD. WEATHER.

But with the cold weather comes those warm, hearty meals that fill you up and leave you feeling nice and cozy from the inside out. This includes a vast array of foods, but for me…it’s soups and casseroles…

…and macaroni and cheese.

Yes. Simple. Straightforward. Macaroni and Cheese.

But no ordinary macaroni and cheese will do. I do eat the kinds out of the box…but they are just for those quick meals I need to eat before rushing off somewhere in my hectic and busy schedule I keep. But on these days where I’m hibernating…or simply have some time on my hands…I will always choose a good old-fashioned homemade macaroni and cheese.

Here’s the thing though…I make a damn, damn, damn good gluten-free macaroni and cheese. My roommate will ask for it every now and again and beg and plead for me to make it. And, naturally, I will. It’s my mom’s recipe, which I have tweaked only slightly to fit into my dietary restrictions and to spice it up some. I love my homemade mac and cheese and I do love making it. But shredding the cheese and making the white sauce…it all takes a lot of time. Even if I have it…I sometimes can think of 100 other things I need to be doing.

Lucky me! Yes…once again…lucky me. Lucky me for having Annie May’s Sweet Café practically in my own backyard. Sure, this little bakery offers cupcakes and brownies and cookies and cakes and…all those other delictible naughty treats. But…sometimes…you get take-n-bake specials. I have previously blogged on Annie May’s Take-N-Bake Cinnamon Rolls and have tried (but obviously forgot to blog about…and will remedy that immediately) the Take-N-Bake Crescent Rolls. The take-n-bake options at Annie May’s Sweet Café make all those foods you crave that much easier to make yourself.

And she recently added Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese to that list.

Pardon me while I do the happiest little dance of joy.

Of course…I had to try it. I absolutely had to. I mean…I was heading home soon after dining there on Saturday morning for breakfast so…it only seemed logical, despite not really being in the budget, to give it a go. I was getting breakfast treats to go for Sunday…why not add dinner to the mix too. Just make Sunday (a busy day with everything needing to be done before Monday strikes) that much easier to slog through.

I was beyond excited the day I pulled this out of my refrigerator, preheating my oven to 375°F, per the instructions on the container. It looked so amazing and that was before I even popped it in the oven to bake. Go figure. Once the oven heated, I removed the plastic wrap and set the tray inside for about 20 minutes…the gluten-free breadcrumbs on top were golden and the cheese around the edge was bubbling. Oh yeah…done. And it looked and smelled so good.

Once again, Annie May’s Sweet Café really delivers. One bite and I looked over at my roommate, who was also enjoying half of this tray, and I said, “I think this is better than mine! And I make really good mac and cheese!” What makes it so amazing? Hell if I know. I don’t know what magic Annie May’s puts into their products, but this macaroni and cheese baked up creamy and cheesy, with that nice toasted crunch from the breadcrumbs. It was fantastic. So comforting to the soul, spirit, and body. I had wished I had bought them out of the trays they had. And I intended to do that this past weekend…but they only had one tray left by the time I got there so…I luckily snagged it before anyone else could. I think it might have been a near thing. Anyway…creamy, dreamy goodness in one simple dish.

I mean, right on the label, Annie May’s lays it all out as far as the ingredients: Brown rice flour, water, whole milk, cheddar cheese, and butter.

This is, in no way, a light meal. It’s hearty, it’s warm, it’s filling…but it makes you feel good as you eat it. And in the end, the food you eat should make you feel good.

I can’t say enough good things about Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, Kentucky. They keep expanding their menu…which is soon to include bagels (and I can’t WAIT for that to happen)…and I have enjoyed being able to try these new additions as they are placed in the case. Yes…we, the food-allergic and even the non-food-allergic of Louisville, Kentucky have one really sweet place on Frankfort Avenue…which I make a point to visit often. It’s that good. The people are amazing. The food continues to get better and better.

No one would even guess it was gluten-free.

Comfort yourself on these cold winter nights with a little bit of gluten-free comfort food. Go to Annie May’s…and get the macaroni and cheese. You can thank me later.

And trust me…you will.

Annie May's Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese (baked) — Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese (baked)

January 5, 2014

Baby steps…into the new year…

First run of the year...slow and steady...with minimal pain — First run of the year…slow and steady…with minimal pain

Achilles Tendonitis.

You plague me. You discourage me. You dishearten me. And you cause me pain.

BUT…I am on the verge of feeling better. I’m doing so much cross-training these days to keep any unnecessary pressure off my tendon. So, spinning has been a lot of fun to get into. And it is teaching me to dig deep when I think I’m spent. It makes the stationary bike (something I loathe) fun and enjoyable. And the music is amazing. I’ve been swimming more too. Which was something I have been wanting to do more of anyway. So, this gave me a push to get into the pool and work on that stroke. I need to keep this trend up. Loving that water…once I get acclimated to it. And…strength training. I had started doing it before, then stopped, but I’m back to it. And have a great 30 minute workout that I do with weights and other workout equipment that is helping me build a stronger core.

All that being said…it’s been over 2 weeks since I last ran. And the ankle/Achilles is feeling much better. Some tightness still, but nothing debilitating. So…on this frigid morning, I met up with my running group and decided to test it out. Most of the runners were aiming for 8 miles or more. I didn’t want to push it, and thankfully my friends Harry and Natalie were more than happy to do an easier and more deliberate 5 miles. The cold weather is not helping my tendon feel any better. Everything is just tight. UGH! Cold weather and I do not get along. It slows me down…always. I run so much better in the heat. Let me sweat it out!

It was a good run this morning. I had a great time with these two while we were running. And after a mile or so, I forgot about how cold it was…up until we hit some pretty wicked headwinds. It didn’t matter. We were just enjoying the run. And it felt so good to get back out there and hit the pavement.

All that being said…my ankle/Achilles twinged at me a couple times, but it didn’t flat-out hurt. So, that is a good sign. I have been icing it on and off today…which is helping and I’m about to go do some stretches and get all the kinks worked out.

But…wow…I totally needed that run today. More than I even knew!

January 3, 2014

Product Review: Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen Free Pancake and Waffle Mix

Product: Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix – $5.00

I am a lucky one!

I am. I am one lucky lady.

And I’m about to tell you why.

I live just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. One short drive over a bridge and I am in the city. I can see Louisville from my apartment. I’m that close. But it’s not the city itself that makes me feel lucky. It’s the gem that sits at the heart of it.

Recently, Louisville has really come onto the foodie scene. With chefs showing up on television shows, the restaurant scene exploding (especially over in NULU), and features in food magazines like Food & Wine, Louisville really has something to offer for everyone.

Yes. Everyone.

Including me – a gluten-free vegetarian.

The place – Annie May’s Sweet Café, located at 3110 Frankfort Avenue. It’s a short little journey there…and one that I make weekly…if I’m in town. I don’t miss any opportunity to support this business and the people who make this genuinely good food. And trust me…you don’t need to have a food allergy to enjoy the products that they put in their case and offer Tuesday – Saturday.

Really, trust me. My roomie eats there every week with me. I’ve taken my running friends Natalie and Harry there. I’ve taken my sister there. I’ve taken my friend Greg there…and he is hooked on her Allergen-Free Double Chocolate Brownies. Trust me…he always buys at least two when he’s in town. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to tell her food was gluten-free or dairy-free it wasn’t advertised. Seriously. Good eats. All around.

But today, I am not just going to talk to you about the business. Today…I want to talk to you about one of the mixes that is available for purchase from Annie May’s.

I’m talking about Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix.

Yes. More pancakes. The world would be a better place if more pancakes were consumed. But…they must be good pancakes. I’ve eaten a lot of different pancakes since going gluten-free. Frozen, from mixes, from restaurants. And this mix really does cook up some fantastic pancakes. I actually utilized the mix two ways to be honest. I did my first four pancakes just plain…made as the bag instructed me to make them. But for the second batch…I added Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips…and made chocolate chip pancakes for the following day. The mix is so easy to make and it has a great texture. I just had a good feeling when I put it all together in my mixing bowl and then scooped up the 1/4 cup to set on the skillet.

The pancakes cooked to perfection. No joke. Golden and crusty on the outside. They were a thing of beauty. In fact, I might have let out a little squee of glee and did a little hop-dance of joy in the kitchen after I flipped the first one. Because it was gorgeous. A stunning and perfect pancakes. I only had to be sure not to burn them. And…I didn’t. I totally rocked these out and they fluffed up and got all soft and hot in the middle. I am drooling just writing about them. Then, after serving them up with real maple syrup…I devoured. And as I was savoring and scarfing all at the same time…I got the chocolate chip version cooking.

Once again…perfection. I tucked these into a container and put them in the fridge. I had a spinning class to take on Friday morning, so I figured when I got back from that, I could pop these bad boys in the microwave, nuke them to reheated perfection, and serve them up with that maple syrupy goodness. I was so pleased with how well these reheated. Honestly. So many times you just get a soggy, mushy mess. While these don’t get that golden crust they have fresh off the skillet, they don’t wilt and fall apart after a day in the fridge either. They reheated really well and maintained the integrity of the previously consumed pancakes…still so delicious…down to the last bite.

I have two pancakes left. Can you guess what I’m eating Sunday morning? HA! I can’t eat them tomorrow…I’m going to Annie May’s Sweet Café for their amazing breakfast menu. Might even splurge and get a few extras. Because…I can. And I want to. And so…I will.

Don’t be disheartened if you don’t live in or near Louisville, Kentucky. Annie May’s Sweet Café ships! Yes…they ship. Just go to this page and place an order. Trust me…you will not be disappointed. And, yes…the Allergen-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix is available for order. So…don’t think. Just do. DO IT!

And…I still count myself as one very lucky lady to live near a place that has a restaurant that I feel totally and completely at ease in. I know I can get good food there…and I will continue to bring my friends and family there. So far, no one has been disappointed.

And to Annie May, Kenna, and the staff…keep up the good work. See you tomorrow morning!

Perfect pancakes made from Annie May's Sweet Café Allergen Free Pancake and Waffle Mix — Perfect pancakes made from Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen Free Pancake and Waffle Mix

January 2, 2014May 11, 2015

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread Mix

Product Review: Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread – $8.99

Let me give a big shout-out to Tastefully Simple consultant and a friend of mine from high school, Rebecca Fifield! It is because of her that I have these products in the first place. You see…back when I was in high school, I wasn’t gluten-free. In fact…I don’t think anyone in my hometown even knew what a Celiac was.

It turns out that there is magic in the Interwebs…and thanks to the magic of social media…you reconnect with people. That’s how Rebecca and I got back into touch. And she, knowing I am Celiac and having to eat gluten-free now, sent me packets of Tastefully Simple’s new gluten-free line-up of mixes.

Well…it’s the New Year. January 1st. And my roommate and I have set a few goals for this coming year. And we are wasting no time getting settled into the new routine. That being said, tonight I was simply cooking up some black eyed peas with some kale for dinner. I know that doesn’t sound gourmet, but some believe that eating black eyed peas on New Years Day will bring prosperity. I’m all for that. The recipe mentioned something about serving the meal with cornbread. I don’t have cornbread and I didn’t have enough cornmeal in my pantry to rock out a batch of it from scratch.

That being said…I remembered I had these mixes ready for me to try. So, I climbed up to the top shelf of my pantry and began to pull each one up until I found the one I was seeking.

Gluten-Free Beer Bread.

Yes. Gluten-Free Beer Bread. And…I just so happen to have gluten-free beer on hand. I’m not a beer drinker, mind you, but I make a killer queso with it…so I tend to have it in the house in case. So glad I did…because I was more than excited to get this bread cooking.

And guess what? Tastfully Simple really is simple!! This mix is super easy to put together. I got down one 9 x 5 bread pan and buttered the inside. Then, all I had to do was add to a large bowl…the mix, the gluten-free beer (or you can use soda), and 1 egg. There is an option to add 3 tablespoons of melted butter…which I decided to do.

That’s it. Whisk it together. Pour it in the pan. Drizzle the melted butter over the top (if you’re using it…but I highly recommend it). Set it in a 350°F oven for about 50 minutes…and you have yourself a beautiful loaf of gluten-free beer bread.

YES! It really is that easy!

Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread

What’s more…I was drooling as this was baking in my oven. My apartment smelled (and still does) so amazing. Fresh-baked bread is one of my favorite smells…but this aroma was beyond fantastic. I resisted the urge to open the oven and sneak a peak the instant I started to smell it. That being said…I allowed it to cook for a full 50 minutes, preparing the rest of dinner as it was finishing up. And when my timer went off, I pulled a gorgeous, golden-crusted loaf of gluten-free bread out of my oven. I turned it out of the pan…and it was perfect.

I let it cool slightly as I finished up the last of the black eyed peas and kale we were having for dinner. I knew the bread needed to cool a bit more…but I was ready to dive in. So, I sliced off two slices…one for me and on for my roommate. It sliced beautifully, still steaming in the middle. Fresh. Hot. Gluten-Free. Bread.

Well, we settled in for our New Years Day feast and I immediately had to sink my teeth into the beer bread.

OH MY BREAD GODS! No…this is, by far, one of the best gluten-free breads I have ever made in my kitchen. The mix forms into this light, not dense, loaf of bread. I think the carbonation from the beer helps with this. The flavor is buttery, and light, and totally amazing. The texture is perfect. Not dense. Not heavy. And it’s soft…and the right amount of chewy. It is gluten-free bread perfection. I am going to have to order more of this from Rebecca…and stat!

Let’s talk ingredients now, shall we? The Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread is a mix of rice flour, whey, sugar, potato starch, tapioca flour, baking powder, whey protein concentrate, cassava flour, brown sugar, salt, yeast extract, natural flavors, maltodextrin, and xanthan gum. Not a bad mix of ingredients there.

As for nutrition…the way I prepared the bread…the stats would look like this:

This mix contains enough for 13 servings. One serving of this bread would provide you with 138 calories and 3 grams of fat. You would also have get only 6 grams of sugar, no fiber, and 3 grams of protein. Amazing stats for bread, yes? YES!

And…trust me when I say that this bread is really, really, really good. Tastefully simple. Tastefully gluten-free. Tastefully devoured.

So, if you want to give it a try, hop on over to Rebecca’s Tastefully Simple Page (www.tastefullysimple.com/web/bfifield) and place an order now. You won’t regret it. I am so happy to have this in my life. Thank you, Rebecca! And thank you, Tastefully Simple!

December 31, 2013

Another year of running down some dreams…

Oh my goodness!!

What a crazy year it has been. I started off this year with a simple goal: run 1300 miles in 2013. Well, that goal was easily reached because I met yet another goal this year as well…

I ran my first marathon.

And then followed it up with another marathon.

My other goal was to make it through the year uninjured. I almost made it. SO close. The past two weeks I have been going without running due to Achilles tendonitis brought on by refusing to hop on a treadmill and going for a run while there was still ice and snow on the ground. The uneven footing was enough to alter my gait enough to cause this bit of discomfort. I am on the mend though. Not being able to get out and run has been killing me…but I have supplemented spinning classes (I go at least 2 times a week), swimming (once a week) and some weight training in, all of which I intend to keep doing well into next year. Because I love how strong these other activities are making me.

Do I have a goal for this coming year? I haven’t really given it much thought. Miles I always seem to surpass…races I run plenty…I think my main goal is to eat better, train better, remember to cross-train more, take some time to walk and see the sites that I might miss otherwise, work on speed, and just have a great year on the road.

SO much love and thanks to all my friends this year who have seen me through training, traveled to my races, cheered for me, cried with me, and pushed me beyond what I ever thought possible. I have made so many new friends this past year and I know that I’m going to forge new friendships in this coming year.

So…here is to a happy, healthy, and healing New Year.

Thank you, my dearest readers, for sticking with me and offering advice, words of love and encouragement, and for pushing me to aim higher.

2014…I’m on the mend…and I’m ready to hit the road! Let’s do this!

December 31, 2013

Restaurant Review: The Village Anchor, Anchorage, Kentucky

Restaurant: The Village Anchor, Anchorage, Kentucky

Twas the weekend before Christmas and my roommate and I were set to have our official Christmas dinner out at a local restaurant. We started this tradition of a holiday meal a couple years back. It gives me a break from the kitchen, which, no matter how much I love to cook, is always welcome, and gives us a great excuse to try out a restaurant we might not have picked otherwise. It’s usually a little more upscale…a little pricier…but this only happens once a year. The splurge is worth it.

This year, the roomie chose the restaurant. It was one we had visited before, but never had the luxury of eating there. I ran a short mile run there during the summer. In fact, I never had set foot in the restaurant part, only the bar – The Sea Hag – prior to this visit. We chose the earliest dinner seating available, as we knew this was going to be a crazy-busy weekend for dinners out.

The Village Anchor opened at 5 p.m. We were actually there way ahead of schedule, so we took the opportunity to walk up and down the streets of Anchorage. If you’ve never been to Anchorage, Kentucky…it’s gorgeous. Go there and be awed. It was even more beautiful as a lot of the homes and businesses were lit up and decorated for the holidays. I love this time of year for that reason.

At 5 p.m. though, we were both starving and ready to get our meal on. We stepped into the restaurant itself and were immediately greeted by a very friendly hostess. I gave her my name, which the reservation was under, and she picked up a couple of menus and took us through the dining room, sitting us down at a quiet table not too far from the hearth. And that fireplace had a nice fire going in it too. It felt like the perfect winter’s night.

Our server, Alan, came over to introduce himself. Our water glasses were filled and we were asked if we’d like anything else to drink. We both decided to stick with water. He said, “I noticed that we have a vegetarian with a gluten allergy…” I raised my hand. “That would be me!” He gave me a very relaxing smile and said that the chef could do up a great roasted veggie plate for me as an entree. He mentioned Brussels sprouts, asparagus…yeah…he won me over right there.

What this also indicated to me was that The Village Anchor pays attention to the reservations that are made through Open Table. I have made reservations before for so many other places, but this was the first time my food allergies were ever addressed right away without me having to bring them up. I raise a glass and give high kudos to The Village Anchor for this. As always, I get a bit nervous when I try out somewhere new…but this really put my mind at ease and relaxed me for the rest of the meal.

The Village Anchor's Hummus Trio (top to bottom: Roasted Garlic, Jalapeño-Cilantro, Caramelized Onion-Chipotle) served with fresh veggies for dipping to make it gluten-free — The Village Anchor’s Hummus Trio (top to bottom: Roasted Garlic, Jalapeño-Cilantro, Caramelized Onion-Chipotle) served with fresh veggies for dipping to make it gluten-free

But…we weren’t just here for the entrées. Like I said…this was our holiday meal. And after just taking in a very light breakfast, followed by a movie…we were pretty much famished. So, Cathy already knew she was going to try out a cup of the award-winning Elk Chili ($6.00) as her starter. We inquired what might be a good option for me. Alan said he would recommend the risotto, but it has soy sauce in it so it’s not safe for me. I told him I’d be good with the fresh fruit…but he had other ideas. He sure did. And what I ended up getting for my starter was their Hummus Trio ($11.00), which came with fresh sliced vegetables instead of the pita and the grilled crostini.

The Hummus Trio is a plate that contains three different house-made blends of hummus: the roasted garlic, jalapeño-cilantro, and caramelized onion-chipotle. As I said, my version came with sliced carrots, cucumbers, and red bell peppers. SO good. I thought the roasted garlic hummus was really rich. I love roasted garlic…and blending it into the hummus gave it this nice flavor that went so well with the vegetables. This one turned out to be Cathy’s favorite. The jalapeño-cilantro was the next one I sampled. I actually expected this one to be spicy…but it was actually rather mild. Even Cathy thought so when she tried it…and we’re talking about a heat wimp here. The flavors were great and I loved the freshness that came with each dip. This one went really well on the carrots. My personal favorite was the caramelized onion-chipotle hummus. OH MY HUMMUS GODS! I sampled this one ahead of Cathy and knew she’d be fanning her mouth. While not super-hot…it did have a kick to it and a slow burn. The caramelized onion was a brilliant addition, lending a little hint of sweetness to the hummus itself. Needless to say…this met a very messy death. If you love hummus, get this. Just trust me!

It was now time for the entrée round. As this was a pub, Cathy already knew what she was getting…Fish and Chips ($15.00). Her meal also came with house-made tartar sauce and coleslaw. She’s not a coleslaw person normally…but she ate the hell out of that coleslaw. I might need to see if the kitchen will give me the recipe. Red cabbage, raisins, and carrots…but it was the vinaigrette-like dressing that made it. Yes…we asked if it was safe for me to try and after checking with the chef, Alan assured me it was. It was really good.

The Village Anchor's Chef Creation - Roasted Veggie Plate — The Village Anchor’s Chef Creation – Roasted Veggie Plate

The chef got to play around with my dish and what I got was a vegetable plate masterpiece. Perfectly seasoned, perfectly roasted, perfectly perfect vegetables. And what a variety as well. My Roasted Veggie Plate ($16.00) came complete with roasted potatoes, roasted asparagus, roasted Brussels sprouts, and some sauteed spinach that was cooked with garlic and red onion, topped off with tomatoes. It was AMAZING!! I love that the chef included potatoes as well for something more filling. They were cooked to perfection and seasoned with some fresh herbs. Carby goodness. Yum! The asparagus was really done well. It still had a bit of crunch to it, without being raw. I loved the depth of flavor that were drawn from these. The spinach and the Brussels sprouts were my two favorite things on that plate though. The spinach was wilted and cooked to absolute perfection. I loved the hint of garlic, the bite the red onion gave it, and the sweetness of the red tomatoes. I was in heaven. And the Brussels sprouts were roasted to perfection. No burned edges…just flavor and lots of it. I was beyond impressed with this meal. Here I was expecting to get stuck, once again, with a salad. But The Village Anchor totally made my night!! They definitely went above and beyond for me.

With this being a holiday celebration…we managed to save a little room for dessert. The special that night, in honor of the holidays, was a Cranberry Crème Brûlée. Now, more often than not, the crème brûlée is a safe choice for the gluten-free…but I wanted to be certain. Alan was prepared for this and said that he would check with the chef. He returned a few moments later with the word – the Cranberry Crème Brûlée was gluten-free…the only other things on their menu that are gluten-free is the ice cream, which is provided by The Comfy Cow. I get Comfy Cow ice cream a lot…so I decided to give the Cranberry Crème Brûlée ($11.00) a try. It even came with a cinnamon whipped cream. It sounded delicious. Cathy opted for the Granny Smith Apple Crisp, à la mode ($8.00).

When our desserts arrived I was just so happy to be able to enjoy a dessert while eating out at a restaurant. Thrilled. And my Cranberry Crème Brûlée looked beyond amazing. I was ready to dig in…and had to do the thing where I crack the caramelized sugar on top. It shattered and through the custard, I spotted the red cranberries at the bottom. One bite…I was in dessert heaven. SO good. And that spiced cream that was served with it definitely complimented the holiday flavors and added this little hint of spice and warmth to the dish. I polished it off…and was definitely full. But pleasantly so.

Holiday meals are supposed to be relaxing and enjoyable. The Village Anchor not only had a fantastic, cozy dining area, but the food was amazing. The staff was more than prepared to work around my food allergies. And they didn’t act like I was an inconvenience either. I love that the chef prepared a dish specifically for me…taking care to make it beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. Both Cathy and I were beyond impressed with The Village Anchor.

You better believe we’ll be coming back for more in the very near future. My hat is off to the staff, the kitchen, and the owners of this fine restaurant just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. I was immediately made to feel at ease about my food and knew that I was in good hands. They didn’t disappoint. And now…I’m spreading the word as much as I can. Local places are always worth checking out – but this one is something special. This one is a keeper!

The Village Anchor's Cranberry Creme Brule — The Village Anchor’s Cranberry Crème Brûlée

December 30, 2013

Product Review: Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese

Road's End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreeze — Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese

Product: Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese – $3.49+

For the past two weeks…I have been without my CSA bin. It has been…tough. I have been trying to make a point, however, to attempt to use up products/items from my fridge, freezer, and pantry.

Fast forward to Friday night. It was the first full day back in town for me after having flown in the day before after visiting my family for Christmas. Without fresh produce readily available, and a tight, tight budget due to the holidays…it was time to make due with what was in the apartment. No big deal…there is plenty to choose from.

And it just so happened I remembered picking up a box of Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Diary Free Penne & Chreese (yes…chreese!) when I spotted it on a super closeout at my local grocery store. For fear that I might never try it otherwise or never have the opportunity due to possibly not being able to find it anywhere else…I panicked and purchase one box. Just one. Just to have on hand.

I am so glad I did that, because after a stressful day of travel, a long night, an early morning, a full day at the office, and a lot on my mind…an easy dinner was just what I needed. And this…just sounded good.

If it wasn’t…I had a backup plan. Don’t laugh. I often do this when I try new products.

Anyway…nothing could be more stress-free than this! I came home from work and got a pot of water boiling on the stove. As soon as it had come to a boil, I poured in the noodles and allowed them to cook for about 10-12 minutes. I didn’t want to overcook them, because, let’s face it…pasta, especially brown rice pasta…gets really gummy when it’s overcooked. I wanted that perfect al dente. I managed it too. I drained the noodles just as they reached that perfect state, then…in the same sauce pan…poured in 1/2 cup of almond milk and the powdered chreese packet which came in the box. I stirred them together until they combined and had no clumps. Then, back onto medium heat, and the pasta was added back in. I gave it a stir, and let it cook for another couple of minutes, to thicken the chreeze mixture as it blended with the noodles. Done.

I poured half into a bowl for my roomie and saved the other half for me. Time to dig in.

I was actually a little worried about not liking this one. But…this is definitely one of my favorite boxed gluten-free mac and cheese. Don’t laugh. It’s true. What did I love about it? Aside from noodles that were normal size, and not teensy-tiny, it cooked up perfectly. The dairy-free cheese (chreeze) mixture thickened up beautifully after the noodles were put back in. And the flavor was remarkable. I loved how the cheese sauce clung to the noodles. I love how my noodles weren’t left swimming in sauce, as most gluten-free boxed mac and cheeses do. I loved the thick, rich flavor of the chreese. It had a great balance of flavor…the creamy richness of an Alfredo with the flavor of cheddar. So good. It was major mac and chreeze love.

I love saying chreese!

Anyway…the nitty-gritty basics.

Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese contains a gluten-free rice penne. As for the gluten-free Chreese (vegan cheese), that is a blend of organic brown rice flour, organic tapioca starch, enriched nutritional yeast, organic green lentil flour, salt, organic garlic powder, organic yellow mustard seed, organic onion powder, and annatto powder. The ingredient list is all recognizable…no chemicals, no weird preservatives. Just awesome gluten-free goodness.

Nutritionally speaking, Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese contains 2 servings per box. A serving contains 320 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a mac and cheese. And you get a lot. This pasta is cholesterol free, contains only 350 mg sodium, and has less than 1 gram of sugar. Awesome! In addition, a serving provides 6 grams of fiber and 9 grams of protein. See what I mean? You will feel full…and you’re only eating a cup. That’s the serving size! Awesome!

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed chowing down on this fantastic boxed macaroni and “cheese.” They vegan cheese that is used in place of real cheese doesn’t taste fake at all. I loved the flavor. And it is easy on my tummy…as I am lactose intolerant and cheese can really be an issue at times. So…YAY!! I would definitely recommend this to everyone. Even cheese lovers, like my roommate, will eat it. She loved the richness and the texture. And, yeah…it doesn’t lack in flavor. SO damn good!

Find it. Try it. Love it.

Road's End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese — Road’s End Organics Gluten-Free and Dairy Free Penne & Chreese

December 30, 2013December 30, 2013

Product Review: Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles

Product: Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles – $4.99+

FINALLY!

Just…FINALLY!

As much as I love gluten-free waffles made from scratch…these days it seems impossible to find the time to actually make them. Trust me…it is an undertaking and a half. Seriously! And, my favorite homemade gluten-free waffles to prepare are…pumpkin! Yep…pumpkin. Delicious. Tasty. And we all know how much I love pumpkin flavored things. Just…YUM!!

These days, however, I just am never home long enough to actually work through the recipe and get the pumpkin waffles made from scratch. So…waffles have been off the menu. Because, regular waffles can be a task and a half to make as well. So…it’s been pancakes, Greek yogurt parfaits with fruit and gluten-free granola, cereal, and things with roasted potatoes…or just gluten-free bagels. No waffles. Not for a very long time.

But that changed. That changed the moment I stepped into the freezer section of my local Whole Foods and spotted…one of the most wonderful things I have ever encountered in that aisle. Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles. YES! GLUTEN-FREE PUMPKIN SPICE WAFFLES!! Shout it from the rooftop friends. I did another happy dance of joy in the aisle. I should really stop doing that…but I just get so excited!

This box of frozen waffles is made by Nature’s Path. I tried one other variety of their gluten-free waffles a year or two ago…but don’t remember too much about them. Other than that Van’s gluten-free versions blew them out of the water. For real!

But…let bygones be bygones…and…Van’s doesn’t make pumpkin spice waffles…so…HA! These were in my basket and at the register before my roomie or I could talk ourselves out of the purchase. The deed was done.

And with me taking an early morning spin class a couple mornings a week…these are the perfect thing to throw in the oven to toast while I shower off before work. And that’s exactly what I did on Friday. Friday was already crazy. I had just gotten back in town from my Christmas trip to see my family. My luggage had gone missing and was returned late that night. I was worn out…but really wanted to get a little activity in before settling back into my routine for one day. Spinning did that. And I just happen to get home right as my roomie is waking up. So, I put these waffles in the oven and went to shower. They were done just as I finished off dressing. I warmed up some of my agave maple syrup to pour over them and…just like that…brekkies was served.

Oh…these definitely made an impression on me. The pumpkin spice flavor is there…but not overpowering. There is pumpkin and then there is PUMPKIN. I love pumpkin flavors…but I want to taste the other spices too. In this case…cinnamon and nutmeg. Perfect compliments. The waffles toasted up beautifully…their orange color turning a deep golden as they reached the perfect level of toastiness. This gave them this great crunch on the outside, but that soft, steamy center that make every waffle perfect. Oh…it was bliss. Bliss in a pumpkin-y waffle-y form. These made my hectic morning easy…and super delicious. I hope these aren’t a seasonal thing because I really want to stock up!

Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles are made from water, organic pumpkin puree, organic brown rice flour, organic potato starch, organic yellow corn flour, organic soy oil, organic tapioca starch, organic cane sugar, organic potato flour, baking powder, organic flax seeds, organic soy lecithin, organic pear and/or grape juice concentrate, organic quinoa, organic amaranth, organic spices, and sea salt. Whew. It seems like a lot of ingredients, but I recognize every single one of them. That’s something. And I love how a majority of the ingredients are also organic.

So, let’s talk nutrition. A serving of Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles is 2 waffles. This pair of pumpkin waffle yumminess will serve you up 210 calories and 7 grams of fat. These waffles contain no cholesterol, have only 385 mg sodium, and 6 grams of sugar. Not too bad. They also have 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein…so not too filling…but I wasn’t starving all morning either. Definitely a healthier choice for breakfast if you have to do the “from-the-freezer” grab on a busy morning. Seriously…worth it.

These waffles are amazing. I love the pumpkin flavor. I loved the texture and taste. The crunch with the warm, soft center. Oh yeah. Perfect for those busy mornings…and always good drizzled with syrup. Makes these winter mornings cozy and warm. Let me tell you…I think I’m in love with a new gluten-free waffle.

Delish!

Nature's Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles (toasted) — Nature’s Path Gluten-Free Pumpkin Spice Waffles (toasted)