The Celiathlete

June 23, 2013May 11, 2015

Marathon Training Week #2 – From speed work to slowing down…

It’s amazing the lessons you learn through life. Every day brings a new discovery, a new chance to improve on something, a lesson that needed to be learned, and everything in between.

Last week, I revealed that I was diagnosed with (granted) the most common form of skin cancer. And while it is “common”…the fact that I had a nurse tell me I had any form of cancer broke my spirit. It hurt. It bothered me. I didn’t let on…but when the reality of it struck…it really threw me off my game. I no longer felt centered. I was no longer focused.

What I had to do was strive to regain my equilibrium. And I worked on doing that, staying positive, and focusing on something that truly made me happy. My running. Thank goodness for my training plan because it is keeping me accountable and keeping my mind off of things.

This was my second official week of marathon training and I was already looking forward to some of the scheduled days I had in front of me.

Sunday I went out for an easy run. It was Father’s Day, so I dedicated 7 miles to my dad. I called him later to tell him that, and that, ironically, I managed my fastest 7 miles to date without even trying. And that the last mile of it was spent carrying a bag that had some almonds and an avocado in it, as I stopped by the grocery store while I was out. Yes…I am that runner.

Monday morning meant I was back to the running in the dark. I am continuing to fuel and hydrate according to the instructions that my sports nutritionist laid out for me and have been quite successful with that. I have, however, discovered that I hate my hand-held water bottle. I carried it with me on the shorter runs and just found it annoying. But I don’t feel like wearing my fuel belt with water bottles on the shorter distances either. But I need the hydration in order to follow the plan that she has laid out for me to guarantee my body will function right and properly under race conditions when I get to my marathon. So…I carry the handheld bottle. And hate it. Monday morning was a scheduled 5 miles at an easy pace. I keep reminding myself that I don’t have to race every run I do, which is a huge problem for me. So, I often have to remind myself to slow down and take it easy. It really is important. So, I did the scheduled miles…then later that evening did an even easier run through the hills of Cherokee Park with my Monday fun run group. It was good. And I had a great conversation about my marathon from someone who has run it 6 times as well as other marathons I might want to look at in the future. It was a good Monday.

Tuesday was the scheduled cross training day. I’m so not used to waking up without going running, so this day usually throws me off. I did 45 minutes on the Arc Trainer with hill intervals and on Level 5 and really rocked it out. I was proud of myself. Then I hit up the Cardio Wave machine for 10 minutes, which is like an elliptical machine, except that your feet move from side-to-side and instead of moving forward and back. It is a welcome change for the legs. While it is only 10 minutes, I worked it hard, upping my resistance and speed every minute. It really works up a sweat.

Wednesday is the speed work and pacing day. And this week was fartlek week. Five miles worth. Now, I attempted fartleks once before…but didn’t properly warm up and ended up with a nagging pain in my ankle/calf muscle for about 2 weeks. This time, I used my first mile as a warm up and ran the fartleks the remaining 4 miles. For those of you not familiar with the term, fartleks are where you alternate irregular fast and slow intervals, either by time or by markers on the course you choose to run. As I run in the early morning when it is dark out, I couldn’t really keep track on my watch, so I chose different places to speed up and run through and then other places to ease back into an easy pace. I ended up breaking a 5 mile PR by an entire minute. Maybe there is something to this speed play stuff. I had a great and fun run that morning. It was nice to change things up.

Thursday rolled around and that was another easy run day. This time it called for 6 miles. So, I went out and logged those, once again reminding myself that I don’t need to race on these runs. I took it easy, and ran at a decent pace for me…and finished strong. I’m trying to work on that finishing kick…but I still usually don’t have the ooomph at the end of a run, no matter the distance, to really kick it into high gear. I’m hoping my speed work days will help with that in the end. After that, I hit up the gym for some cardio and strength training. I felt strong that morning. It was a good feeling.

Friday…the day of rest. I dread Friday for this reason. It is not easy for me to take a day off of running. I get antsy and fidgety. But, rest days are important for the muslces, the body, and the soul. Honestly, it gives the body a chance to repair itself. These days are vital when in training because these days help the muscles build up strength. I know that sounds weird, but with each workout you fatigue your muscles and giving them a day off means they repair themselves and grow stronger. And I definitely want to be a stronger runner. So, once again, I respected the rest day and kept it holy. I did opt for an easy walk at the gym on my lunch hour. Nothing strenuous.

Saturday is the day of the long run at the Long Slow Distance (LSD) pace. I am so lucky to have fallen in with a group of runners who have taken me in and are able to take me on new routes and new runs on these longer running days. I was really getting tired of looping my neighborhood. BORING! I met up with a great group of people on Saturday morning and we logged my 11 mile training run in 1:36:10. I was talking with one of the runners, someone who has just logged his 32nd marathon in his life, and he was telling me the importance of these runs being taken at a slower, easier pace. It does help build up strength and speed in the end. Just like rest days. There will be those days where my training calls for Marathon Pace…but on these LSD days…I try to honor that longer slower distance. I was so happy to have the company and the conversation on the long run. It made the time fly by and the effort feel effortless. Loving it. I finished strong too. Already looking forward to doing it again next weekend.

So, overall, not a bad training week at all. I already see in the next few weeks, due to events and appointments, where I will need to tweak my training schedule, but I’m so happy with how this week went. I am definitely focusing more on feel and my body. I used to put so much emphasis on time, and a part of me still does, but through the training and through learning from other seasoned runners, I am discovering that the pace will find you at the race itself…you train right, and you’ll be ready to run one of the best races of your life. Train too hard…and you get burnt out or injured. And that is the last thing I want to have happen. So, training smart and keeping my mileage and my pace in proper check.

Loving every run. So that means I must be doing something right.

I am not sure if or how my procedure will affect my program, but I will find out on Wednesday when I go in. The most important thing right now is to remain positive and do what is right for me and my body. And right now…it’s getting rid of the basal cell carcinoma, healing, and having that weight lifted off my shoulders. I’m going to keep on smiling.

June 23, 2013

Udi’s wins on size and flavor, but falls short on texture with new Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas

Special Delivery of Udi’s Gluten-Free Goodies – including brand new products!

Product: Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (large) – $5.20+

Mmmm…food in taco form is always a good thing. I love tacos. I love burritos. I love breakfast wraps. I love just about anything you could possibly think about wrapping up in a tortilla. Seriously. As long as it fits into my diet, I’m all about it. And I definitely love Mexican-inspired dishes. The problem with that is that sometimes it’s hard to find full-size tortillas to work with the dish you have in mind.

Well, awhile back, I received a nice box of goodies from Udi’s Gluten-Free Foods, containing a mix of some of their new and some of their classic products. I was overjoyed to see quite a few of the items in that box and have definitely fallen in love with them…or fallen back in love with some of the classics I had ages ago and haven’t yet worked my way back around to purchasing again. Let’s face it…when it comes to taste and texture, Udi’s is constantly one of the front runners in the market.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (Large) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas (Large)

One of the new products that was included in this box of Udi’s goodness were the new Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas. Udi’s recently came out with these tortillas that look and feel like regular flour tortillas. Honestly. I was simply amazed when I went to use these in a recipe. I mean…wow. It was just like those days when I didn’t have to worry about eating a flour tortilla. I was so excited about putting my vegan shrimp taco fixings on this tortilla too.

I was sent the package of the larger varieties of these tortillas. Awesome. They also come in smaller, taco-sized tortillas as well. So you get your pick. I was ready to have a soft-shelled taco again in my life. And these were such a different feel than the ones I’ve had from Rudi’s Gluten-Free Bakery, so I was definitely looking forward to seeing how they worked with my fillings of choice.

I’ve cooked these tortillas up two different ways, and I have to say…while I do enjoy the flavor and the taste of these…I’m having a hard time with the tortillas themselves. They are definitely delicious…but the texture is off.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla (Large) — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla (Large)

The first time I made up my vegan shrimp tacos, I prepared the tortillas using the microwave method. This means I wrapped the tortillas in a damp paper towel and microwaved them for the recommended time. Then, these tortillas were piled on with the fillings, lettuce, onion, vegan shrimp, avocado, and some vegan Sriracha sour cream (my invention). I carried a plate of one tortilla stuffed with taco goodness over to my roommate…and sadly…the tortilla crumbled. It just…fell apart. Mine was the same way. So, I ended up grabbing for a fork and we finished off our meal that way.

Last night, I decided to do the warm in a dry skillet technique, hoping for better results. Crossing my fingers, I heated up my large skillet on the stove and placed a tortilla on it to warm before flipping it over and doing the same on the other side. I repeated with the second tortilla. I once again loaded up all the delicious fillings form my Vegan Shrimp Tacos and carried one plate over to my roommate and enjoyed the other for myself. This time, I found that I could pick up the tortilla, however the texture was a bit gummy. So, while my first attempt had the perfect texture, it crumbled…and my second attempt had held up to the toppings, but the texture was off.

I’m at a loss.

I have two more of the 6 toritllas that are included in the pack to go through. I think it will be interesting to see how my third attempt making something with these tortillas turns out. I think I might go classic quesadilla this time and see if that works out in the end. Maybe I’m doing something wrong, because I haven’t read about anyone else having such issues with these tortillas.

I will say this…if you want the feel and the flavor of a flour tortilla…probably something you’ve been missing, this is the tortilla that will fulfill that craving. It is spot on!! However, so far…my attempts at utilizing them for eating has been an epic fail. I love Udi’s…but when I want to eat a taco…I want to pick it up and eat it like a taco.

Yeah…I think the quesadilla thing is next. Hopefully it will have a better result.

Nutritionally speaking, Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortillas aren’t don’t fare too bad. Not really. One tortilla serves up 170 calories and 4 grams of fat. In addition to that, you get served 5 filling grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. They are relatively low in sodium for a processed food (330 mg) and they are cholesterol free. NICE! You can fill them, stuff them, fold them, and do whatever you like to bring them to life and (hopefully) have good results. My attempts have been an epic fail thus far, but I’m not giving up. Not yet.

I have faith in Udi’s and stand behind their products a lot. However…checking the ingredients…not sure how I feel about modified potato starch being on that ingredient list. Gluten-free foods…should be healthy and not laden with excessive calories or fat. For the most part, Udi’s follows this. But…modified foods, I do have a problem with. So, hopefully they will begin working that out of the ingredients in the future.

So, as far as tortilla love goes…I love certain aspects of this product…but other parts of it don’t work for me. You will feel like you’re eating a real flour tortilla…and that is something no gluten-free tortilla that has come before it has managed. If I can just figure out that perfect cooking procedure and get the product to either not crumble or have a gummy texture…we’ll be in business.

I’ll let you know how those quesadillas turn out.

For now…on the fence with these. It’s not love/hate…but it’s love/like/dislike at the moment. So, there is room for improvement. And hopefully…improvement will happen.

Udi's Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla topped with Sophie's Kitchen Gluten-Free Vegan Breaded Shrimp, red onion, avocado, and vegan Sriracha sour cream — Udi’s Gluten-Free Plain Tortilla topped with Sophie’s Kitchen Gluten-Free Vegan Breaded Shrimp, red onion, avocado, and vegan Sriracha sour cream

June 21, 2013

Loving the Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake from Truly Wize Bakery

Product: Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake – $6.95

Lemon.

Who doesn’t love lemon. There is just something so refreshing about a dish that is flavored with lemon. It’s crisp. It’s delicious. It’s my favorite flavor to use as a palate cleanser. And…one of my favorite flavors for a dessert. Like I said…it’s refreshing.

Remember that Cinnamon Coffee Cake I picked up at the gluten-free expo I attended in Carmel, Indiana? Well, my roommate got to pick a cake too, and as she is as much of a lemon freak as I am, she went with the Iced Lemon Cake from Truly Wize Bakery. So…here we were…two girls…two cakes…and a freezer. And a time span of a couple months. I knew they were in there…it was just a matter of getting the pantry down to managable levels before hitting up the freezer. My biggest concern was that these cakes would suffer for having spent so much time in the freezer.

They didn’t. Not at all.

As I mentioned previously in my blog on the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake, Truly Wize Bakery, a gluten-free and allergen-free bakery, is based out of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Their Web site states that their mission is simple: they want to provide delicious, healthy, premium quality gluten-free and allergy-free cookies, cakes, brownies, and other confections without the use of wheat, gluten, dairy, butter, soy, peanuts, artificial colors and flavors. They carry this out by using the finest selection of premium natural and organic ingredients from growers and suppliers who are committed to the highest environmental standards. Everything they make is from scratch in a dedicated gluten-free facility and baked to order so that everything is also fresh. You gotta love that.

The bakery was brought to life by the Chef/Founder Caren Weaver, who was on a mission to create healthier desserts for her children. Her passion for baking kick-started this plan and she finally decided to really only incorporate organic and natural ingredients in her handcrafted, gluten-free products. With the evolution of the gluten-free market, and the fact that one of her friends was a diagnosed Celiac, Caren set out to make gluten-free products that her friend could enjoy. They had to taste great.

So…obviously if my roommate and I sampled the lemon cake…and then bought it…it actually must have tasted great.

The fact was, it had been so long since we had those samples…I couldn’t remember.

Since the cake was frozen, I set it out on the counter while I was at work that day to allow it to thaw. I wasn’t sure what this would do to the cake. It didn’t seem to harm the Cinnamon Coffee Cake I had a few days before…but this actually had icing on it. So, it was a little bit different. That night, after having leftovers for dinner, dessert was just as easy as slicing into the cake and serving it up. The icing survived the thawing process better than anticipated, though it was nowhere near the beauty it was when I originally purchased it. But…it’s one of those little sacrifices. Aside from that, flavor-wise, you’d never guess this cake was frozen…ever!

Luscious lemon flavor explodes across your taste buds with this fantastic cake. It’s that right balance too. Sometimes lemon can take over and just overwhelm your palate. Not in this case. The lemon cake with the lemon icing finds that perfect citrus balance so that it doesn’t cause your eyes to water and your lips to pucker. This cake is incredibly rich and incredibly moist. And I loved every bite of it. I tried not to hoover it and devour it without any thought, but took time to taste…get the full effect of the flavor and the texture.

And, nutritionally speaking, the nutrition facts attached to this cake aren’t so bad. Not for…a cake. The Iced Lemon Cake serves 4 people and one square of this cake will provide you with 95 calories and 5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a slice of cake. I love having a dessert under 100 calories. It tastes like it should be laden with calories and fat…but thankfully, it’s not. This cake is rich and moist and tastes so refreshing, it’s hard to believe it’s only 95 calories per serving. Trust me…you won’t believe it either. But…a healthier option for a dessert is always welcome. And while you do only get a little square of cakey goodness…it’s just enough after a meal. A couple of bites and dessert is done.

I know that we don’t all have gluten-free expos that crop up near where we live. I also realize that Truly Wize is based out of Pennsylvania. But, never fear. The Web site is set up to take orders that will be shipped to you. So, yes, now even you can give these fantastic products a try. I highly recommend their fantastic cakes. But now I’m seriously thinking about heading over to their Web site and trying out their cookies, brownies, and OMG…they have cinnamon rolls!!! Go and browse through the goodness (with pictures) at the Truly Wize Bakery Web site and, trust me, order something. If the two cakes I purchased are any indication of how the rest of their products are, then everything is a real treat. A healthier version of a real treat!

I was truly surprised by the products that Truly Wize Bakery offers. The cakes were both fantastic. One was refreshing, the other was sinful. And both were fantastic. I love this lemon cake…because the lemon isn’t too much, nor is it too subtle. It makes that last bite after a meal a truly memorable one. And with it being gluten-free and allergen free as well…even better.

Find their products…or order online. But trust me…this bakery is not to be missed.

A slice of Truly Wize Gluten-Free Iced Lemon Cake

June 21, 2013May 11, 2015

Recipe: Curried Sweet Potatoes with Kale and Chickpeas

I admit…I’m a sucker for interesting and different cookbooks. Really, I am. I just can’t help myself when I see them. Thankfully, for the most part, I don’t always purchase said cookbooks. I just simply borrow them from my library and page through them until something catches my eye.

Of course, being a gluten-free vegetarian, this sometimes means I am only hitting up the sides or vegetable sections of said cookbooks…but at least it’s fun to look at some recipes and imagine how I could redo them without the use of meat. I rarely actually put these re-imaginings into action…but it’s the thought that counts.

But then…sometimes I run across a cookbook that was just meant for me. That was the case on my last visit to the local library, where on the shelf of new books to the library, I spotted one called Wild About Greens: 125 Delectable Vegan Recipes for Kale, Collards, Arugula, Bok Choy. and Other Leafy Veggies Everyone Loves by Nava Atlas. I get a lot of fresh greens in my CSA bin and a cookbook dedicated specifically to utilizing them in a variety of vegan recipes just totally made my day. There were few pictures in this book…which makes it difficult to judge a recipe, but one of them that did have a picture was for Curried Sweet Potatoes with Chard and Chickpeas. And, wow, did it ever look fantastic?!

I just had to make it…and since I had fresh kale in my CSA bin, I changed out the chard for that…and we were golden. I had everything else on hand except the sweet potatoes, but as my roommate had been craving baked sweet potatoes, we picked up a bunch of them while out grocery shopping earlier that week.

Recipe: Curried Sweet Potatoes with Kale and Chickpeas

Servings: 4-6
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Cook 40 minutes

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced
2 large sweet potatoes or 4 medium garnet yams, peeled and cut into large dice
One 16- to 20-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
One 16-ounce can diced tomatoes (try a flavorful variety such as fire-roasted)
2 scallions, thinly sliced
2 teaspoons good-quality curry powder, or more, to taste
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger, more or less to taste
1 teaspoon ground cumin, or more, to taste
8 to 12 ounces kale (or chard, or any other leafy green on hand)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro or parsley, or more or less to taste
1/4 cup raisins, optional (but highly recommended)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat the oil in a large skillet or a stir-fry pan. Add the garlic and sauté over low heat until golden.

Add the sweet potato dice and cup and a half or so of water; bring to a simmer and cook until just tender, adding just enough additional water if needed, as they cook, to keep the mixture moist.

Stir in the chickpeas, tomatoes, scallions, curry powder, ginger, and cumin and bring the mixture to a simmer again; cook over low heat for 10 minutes or so, until the sweet potatoes are tender.

Meanwhile, strip or cut the kale leaves away from the stems. Slice the stems thinly, and cut the leaves into strips.

Add the kale to the skillet, in batches if necessary, and cover. Cook briefly, just until the kale wilts, then stir in. Cook over low heat for 5 minutes, or until the kale is tender but not overdone. Stir in the cilantro and optional raisins. Season with salt and pepper, then serve.

~*~*~

Oh…yes!! This was really, really, really good. The flavors just worked well together. I loved how the sweet potatoes and the kale meshed with the variety of spices and seasonings that went into this dish. It was fantastic. And it made enough for a couple days between my roommate and I. I agree with the book…add the raisins. I did…and it just added a nice bit of texture and burst of sweetness. I would make this again in a heartbeat.

Delicious. Nutritious. Packed with flavor and all things good for you. Yep…can’t ask for a better supper than that. YUM!

June 21, 2013

Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake a Truly Wize splurge

Product: Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake – $12.95

Oh, great Gluten-Free Expo that I attended back in October…I returned with so many fond memories…and some great items that I either was given to sample or purchased to try. That was a good time. And I came across vendors, brands, and foods that I didn’t even know existed. And that’s saying something being that I have been a member of the Celiac club for over two years now.

But, these tasting fairs and expos are great experiences and a good way to learn about other brands, other companies, local businesses, restaurants, and the like who do cater to the gluten-free community. This particular expo was taking place up in Carmel, Indiana. It was the Gluten-Free Living Now Expo…and unlike the last expo I attended in Indianapolis, this one was HUGE. It filled a banquet hall from end-to-end, rows and rows of vendors, grocery stores, local bakeries, not-so-local bakeries, restaurants, etc. filled the space. I was happily overwhelmed.

My roommate and I took our time, walking the aisles, taking samples, talking to the people at the tables. We wanted to really soak in the experience and not feel rushed like we normally do at these events. We even made some splurge purchases. There are so many great deals at these expos…prices on products you can find in stores that you’ll never get anywhere else. Like I said…we splurged a little.

One such splurge came from a bakery that was giving out samples of some of their cakes. I love cake. And two of these weren’t frosted. Even better…since I don’t like frosting. My roommate and I stepped up and spoke to the nice woman at the table. She offered samples of either the Chocolate Decadence Cake, the Cinnamon Coffee Cake, or the Iced Lemon Cake. Cathy immediately jumped on the sample of the lemon cake. Me…I went with the cinnamon one, as cinnamon is one of my favorite things in the wold.

Moist. Delicious. OMGSOGOOD!

Splurge purchase. We bought two of the three cakes…the two we sampled. SOLD…with one little bite. That’s how you know you’re doing something right.

The bakery is actually based out of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. And it is Truly Wize Gluten-Free Bakery…which is a gluten-free and allergen-free bakery. Their Web site states that their mission is simple: they want to provide delicious, healthy, premium quality gluten-free and allergy-free cookies, cakes, brownies, and other confections without the use of wheat, gluten, dairy, butter, soy, peanuts, artificial colors and flavors. They carry this out by using the finest selection of premium natural and organic ingredients from growers and suppliers who are committed to the highest environmental standards. Everything they make is from scratch in a dedicated gluten-free facility and baked to order so that everything is also fresh. You gotta love that.

Well, that mission was definitely a success.

Like I said…this expo took place back in October, so the cakes that we purchased have been taking up space and residence in my freezer. But, with this past week being so crazy and I needed a break from the pre-packaged cookies I’ve been going through in my pantry of gluten-free doom…I reached into the freezer and grabbed the Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake. I put it on the counter while I was at work to allow it to thaw out. I wasn’t sure how this would affect the cake…but I went with it. Hoping for the best.

Returning home, I had a busy night, including a circuit workout and a dinner to make. I’ve been very pressed for time lately as my schedule is getting kind of crazy and hectic. But…I do get by. With an already hectic day behind me and a super-busy evening, the fact that dessert was ready and waiting for me on my counter made my night. Honestly. I’m a dessert girl…it’s something I always treat myself to. Nothing big. Just a little palate cleanser after a meal. I have to have it.

So, after devouring dinner…it was time to give Truly Wize Bakery’s Gluten-Free/Casein-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake a try. The expo where I first sampled the cake was so long ago, the flavor memory had left me. I pulled off the top of the eco-friendly packaging and sliced into it. I expected it to be dry from the months it sat in the freezer. Quite the opposite. This cake was moist and soft. I was already elated. I scooped out a slice for my roomie and then one for me. We settled in for dessert…

…and…there it was. The reason I purchased this cake in the first place. Amazing. Moist. Flavorful. Not heavy or dense. This coffee cake is light. Airy. Perfection. The reason I was blown away by it at the expo was just how fantastic it tasted. Texture was better than any coffee cake I had ever had. The balance of cinnamon and coffee…perfection. The crumble on the top…pure decadent heaven. I mean, who doesn’t like a good cinnamon-sugar crumble?! It really just added to the already awesomeness of the cake. This cake was moist. If you pressed your fork to it, it would spring back without any crumbling. Cake perfection. Truly one of the best gluten-free cakes I have ever tasted. That’s saying something. You can tell that only the best ingredients go into this product because it is so damn good!

And…nutritionally speaking…they do provide a healthier option as far as baked goods go. According to the attached nutrition info on the Cinnamon Coffee Cake, the cake serves 4 people and one square of this cake will provide you with 95 calories and 5 grams of fat. That’s not bad for a slice of cake. I love having a dessert under 100 calories. Especially when it tastes like it should have at least 300 calories in it. Not kidding, peeps. This cake is rich and moist and tastes so sinful, it’s hard to believe it’s only 95 calories per serving. LOVING IT!!

I know that we don’t all have gluten-free expos that crop up near where we live. I also realize that Truly Wize is based out of Pennsylvania. But, never fear. The Web site is set up to take orders that will be shipped to you. So, yes, now even you can give these fantastic products a try. I highly recommend their fantastic cakes. But now I’m seriously thinking about heading over to their Web site and trying out their cookies, brownies, and OMG…they have cinnamon rolls!!! Go and browse through the goodness (with pictures) at the Truly Wize Bakery Web site and, trust me, order something. If the Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake is that foodgasmic…then the rest of their stuff has to be just as good, if not more amazing.

Truly Wize Bakery definitely surprised me…wowed me…and won me over. Proof, once again, that allergen-free and gluten-free doesn’t mean taste-free. My local bakery proves that time and time again…and here is another bakery doing the exact same thing.

This is a trend I would love to see continue.

So, if you haven’t tried anything from Truly Wize Bakery…either visit Pennsylvania and stop in…or…trust me when I say their products, especially their cakes, are worth ordering online. So hop over to their site and place an order. You’ll thank me for it. Trust me!

And…I highly recommend the Cinnamon Coffee Cake. Seriously. To. Die. For. (In a good way!)

A slice of Truly Wize Bakery Gluten-Free Cinnamon Coffee Cake

June 21, 2013

Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar a good on-the-go option

Product: Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bars – $5.99+

Breakfast bars.

They are tricky. They really are. I have eaten them since I was little…and the one thing is always the same. The fruit tastes fake (because it mostly is), the actual bar is usually dry and rather tasteless, and they just make me thirsty when I eat them.

All of that holds true for Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar, the second flavor I have ever tried from their line up of gluten-free bars, which include apple, cherry, and strawberry. Prior to this, I have only had the strawberry variety. And that was a year and a half ago. Honestly. It was also my first ever taste of a gluten-free breakfast bar.

You know…when you first bite into something that you haven’t had for ages…you tend to get lost in that moment. For me, when I had that first breakfast bar back then, I remembered growing up and eating those Nutri-Grain bars for snack at school.

That’s what these taste like. Exactly.

Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar (wrapped)

Glutino’s Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar is actually really good. It was the first sample of a bar I ever had, at a Gluten-Free Tasting Fair at a local natural food store. One bite and I was in heaven. I had to buy my own box, and that was when I went with the strawberry variety. I ended up with the Glutino Blueberry Breakfast Bars, however, because my mom had purchased a box of them for me while I was in town last time, running a race and visiting the family. I never was home enough to eat them…so, she told me to take them with me. I’m not one to turn down free food.

I’ve had a lot to work through in my pantry, but these were now getting their time as my afternoon snack.

Glutino doesn’t disappoint when it comes to hitting tastes and textures for their snack foods and their products. Honestly, they are a name I trust. When it comes to gluten-free foods, Glutino really focuses a lot on the taste, flavor, texture and how people perceive their product. That is a big deal because if it isn’t good…if it tastes bad or is tasteless, no one will purchase it, right?

Well, the Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar…is good. I mean…when you need something fast or on-the-go, it’s handy to have around. They slip right into a bag or purse without any problems…and that’s important. You want ease when you’re an on-the-go sort like me. The bar itself does have that dry breakfast bar flavor…the one that every breakfast bar has. But, the fruit puree in the middle is packed with flavor. These bars are soft, easy to chew, and yes…they are good. Tasty. Not perfect. Not wonderful. But…good.

Amazing how the more products you eat, the more gluten-free foods you work through, the more you change the way you eat, the less fantastic something seems when you return to it. Like I said…these bars are good.

I’ve always been a label reader when I go shopping, but never really payed too close of attention to the ingredient lists on certified gluten-free foods. With the way I am shifting my diet, per my sports nutritionist, I am actually really saddened by the amount of unnatural ingredients that go into these. It’s a bit of a turn-off. While it does contain actual blueberries, they aren’t listed until 5th on the list. The first ingredient is, sadly, sugar. And the blueberry portion of this bar is a mix of that sugar, with some chemical ingredients I can’t pronounce, a blend of fruit and vegetable juices (white grape, carrot, blueberry, and pear) as well as a raisin paste, more sugar (fructose), and the pastry-like casing seems to be a mix of chickpea flour, white rice flour, tapioca starch, and potato starch. While I admire that they do, in fact, use real blueberries and blueberry juice, I just wish there were more of that and less of the chemicals in these bars.

That being said…in a pinch…these would be a good option to grab.

Nutritionally speaking, these bars provide you with 140 calories per bar and 2 grams of fat. So, they are a healthier choice than some things out on the market. These contain only 60 mg of sodium and are cholesterol free. In addition, you are provided with 3 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. A little low, but leaving you feeling satisfied after eating it. You won’t be starving in the next couple of hours after consuming this bar. So, as far as the numbers go…not bad.

As far as the flavor goes…very reminiscent of the breakfast bars I ate growing up, before I had to go gluten-free as an adult. If you’re in a pinch, these are a good option to have on hand to take with you, in case hunger strikes.

Nicely done, Glutino.

Glutino Gluten-Free Blueberry Breakfast Bar (unwrapped)

June 20, 2013

Purely Elizabeth keeps it simple but tasty with Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal

Product: Purely Elizabeth Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal – $6.99+

Pure. Simple. Original. Natural. Organic. Gluten-Free.

That is a love letter of goodness if you ask me. Because this only proves that you don’t need to dress up something to make it taste good. You can let the pure, simple, clean ingredients speak for themselves. And that is exactly what Purely Elizabeth brand Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal does. Let me tell you, I could eat this stuff by the handful, without anything to top it off or add flavor. Honestly…it’s amazing on its own.

But I tend to use granola in my infamous breakfast parfaits, teaming it with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit of some variety (whatever may have been in the CSA bin that week). So, if it works well on its own, chances are it will be brilliant when paired with something else of equal deliciousness. And Greek yogurt and fresh fruit…is definitely winning!

So…let’s start with the basics of this very basic (but highly impressive) granola. The Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal is a blend of organic certified gluten-free oats, organic coconut palm sugar (for sweetness), organic raw virgin coconut oil, organic puffed amaranth, organic quinoa flakes, organic sunflower seeds, organic chia sees, organic cinnamon, and sea salt. I think I spy some organic, all-natural ingredients. Not one chemical or preservative is listed. This is the real deal and it’s packaged to be as clean and as healthy as possible. This granola is non-GMO project certified, free of refined sugar, soy-free, loaded with good-for-you fats, sweetened with organic coconut sugar. It is certified vegan, contains no artificial colors or flavors. All of it is hand baked and obviously made with love.

Don’t let the fact that it isn’t paired with dried fruits or something to bring it extra flavor deter you from this variety. This version doesn’t need it. Honestly, it is full of amazing flavor all on its own. The oats, puffed amaranth, quinoa flakes, sunflower seeds, and chia seeds are perfectly coated with the right amount of sweetness, pulled from the organic palm sugar. The hint of cinnamon adds a little bit more flavor. And all of it, the taste, the texture, the fantastic flavor…it is just rockstar. I can’t even imagine going back to other granola after continuing to be impressed by each variety of Purely Elizabeth granola cereals that I have tried.

So…nutritionally speaking, a serving of Purely Elizabeth Original Ancient Grains Granola Cereal is 1/3 cup. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 6 grams of fat. There are 2 grams of fiber in each serving and 4 grams of protein. In addition, this granola is cholesterol free and low in sodium (110 mg). So…delicious and oh, so good for you. Loving it.

If I were to purchase only one brand of granola from here on out…Purely Elizabeth would be the brand I would choose. It’s addictively good…and good for you. Give it a try…you won’t be disappointed. And don’t think Original means plain. There is nothing plain about this version of the granola. Simply put…it’s purely delicious.

Fresh Strawberry and Greek Yogurt Breakfast Parfait with Purely Elizabeth Original Ancient Grain Granola Cereal

June 20, 2013

Martini Italian Bistro gives Louisville a taste of made-to-order Italian awesomesauce

Restaurant: Martini Italian Bistro, Louisville, Kentucky

I love businesses that do whatever they can to cater to people who normally wouldn’t be able to eat there. Take, for example, Martini Italian Bistro in Louisville, Kentucky. This cozy bistro at The Summit off of Summit Plaza Drive is definitely worth checking out. I had been meaning to dine here long before now, but I will say this…their menu is a bit on the pricey side, so I wasn’t going to spend that much money on a lunch.

I think I might change that policy now that I have officially dined here.

Yes…I ate at an Italian restaurant. And you know what else? I came out of there without any signs of any cross-contamination. They were very specific when I spoke to them about being a Celiac and assured me that all the food was made-to-order…nothing was just sitting around…everything was fresh…and they would take good care of me.

I admit, I was a little apprehensive about eating there. With restaurants…the knowledge of the chef and staff when it comes to gluten intolerance can sometimes be next to nothing. And at Italian restaurants, especially, the danger can elevate. So, there were definitely some heart palpitations as I gazed at the menu, searching for some gluten-free and vegetarian options.

There were quite a few, believe it or not.

It was Father’s Day, of all days, and my roommate and I were treating her mother to lunch as her Mother’s Day gift. Yes…while everyone else is celebrating Father’s Day…leave it to us to treat mom to dinner. It was an early dinner too…the 3:00 hour, just after they stopped serving brunch at the real menu was brought out. Perfection. Cathy and I had every intention of taking her mom here…because it was a nice place, but not one that you had to get totally dressed up for. It was that right blend of business casual. Jeans and a nice shirt is what we all were wearing. And so was a majority of the crowd.

Our waiter came over to see if we would like anything to drink. As much as their specialty martini’s enticed, all three of us stuck to water that afternoon. Probably for the best. We alerted him that I was a Celiac and he gave me the run-down that all the pastas can be prepared gluten-free and that there were quite a few vegetarian options for me as well. He assured me that my food would be safe because everything was made as it was ordered. And…I actually felt okay after talking with him. He gave us a couple of minutes and when he returned…we were all ready to order.

Cathy went with the classic standby on which she judges all Italian restaurants…the Spaghetti and Meatballs ($14.99). This dish had three large hand-rolled meatballs in a tomato sauce, all laying atop a bed of garlic butter noodles. She said the meatballs just came apart beautifully and tasted so rich and delicious. That’s always a good thing. Classic Italian dish…winning with my roomie. Cathy’s mom chose to go with the Shrimp Garganelli ($16.99). This pasta dish was a mix of pasta, topped with jumbo Gulf shrimp with crushed red pepper (so it has a bit of a kick and some heat to it), topped off with a white wine garlic sauce, oven roasted tomatoes, spinach and a touch of goat cheese. It looked fantastic. She said it was right at her heat tolerance, so that was a good thing. Hey…a little spice is good for that metabolism!

As for me…I had a couple of options but finally decided on the one that the waiter suggested, as it is one of their most popular dishes. I ordered the Mediterranean Penne, done gluten-free ($14.49…regular $12.99 with a $1.50 charge for gluten-free). What this consisted of is a gluten-free fusilli, not penne, pasta, that is topped off with a very light, highly flavorful white wine garlic sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, toasted pine nuts, and a scattering of feta cheese. It sounded heavenly.

With our orders in, and everything made to order, this gave us some time to talk, look at the martini menu, and Cathy and her mom both enjoyed the focaccia bread with the dipping oil. Cathy said the bread had some heat to it. So, that means I would have found it mild…but I am the breadless wonder at Italian places as most do not have a gluten-free bread option. Only two places I have dined at have, Piazza Sorrento in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and Mama Melrose’s at Disney World. The no bread thing doesn’t even bother me.

Our food arrived, fresh and piping hot from the kitchen. When mine was placed in front of me, the waitress who carried it out even made a point of reiterating that it was, in fact, the Gluten-Free Mediterranean Penne. That was a nice touch. When all the plates were down, the waiter asked if we needed anything further, but we were just ready to dig in. I snapped a picture for this blog…then eagerly picked up my fork and speared a little of every component in the dish.

Mouthgasm of wonderful gluten-free Italian goodness. For real!! First of all, the gluten-free pasta was cooked to perfection. It wasn’t gummy, nor was it mushy. In fact, it was at that perfect al dente that is so difficult to achieve with a rice pasta. But they did it. Spot on. Gluten-free pasta cooking perfection. My compliments to the chef. As for the toppings…Oh mio Dio…I am going to replicate this at home if at all possible. Honest to God…this was one of the most fantastic pasta dishes I have ever eaten. The feta cheese gave a hit of salty, rich flavor to the sauteed vegetables. And I am a sucker for sun-dried tomatoes. And I loved that they didn’t overkill the plate with them. A little goes a long way and the chef totally grasped that concept. There was the perfect balance of each component on this plate…and the sauce was light and full of flavor. I was in heaven. In fact, I devoured every bit of it. Down to the last noodle. Of the three of us…I was the only one who created a happy plate (which means…I ate everything on there). No regrets either. That was gluten-free Italian awesomesauce.

I encourage anyone in the Louisville area, whether you are just passing through or are a resident of this city, to stop in to Martini Italian Bistro and give their food and perhaps their signature drinks a try. The price of the dishes is worth it. You definitely get what you pay for. And the quality…the quality is hard to beat. I can’t wait to go back. I already have an idea of what I want to eat next time. And I won’t even scoff at the prices because I’d pay that again in a heartbeat. Yes…the food, the service, the atmosphere…it is all worth it. I encourage anyone and everyone to go there at least once and see if they win you over like they did for me. Even Cathy and her mom were impressed.

We left full, but happy, all discussing how wonderful our food was. That is always a good sign.

I appreciate the care, the service, and the reassurance I received at Martini Italian Bistro that helped make my dining experience one I will never forget. And now…I’m craving that gluten-free pasta again…

Martini Italian Bistro's Gluten-Free Mediterranean Penne (Fusilli) — Martini Italian Bistro’s Gluten-Free Mediterranean Penne (Fusilli)

June 18, 2013June 18, 2013

Recipe: Breakfast Banana Splits

So…my sports nutritionist is working on getting me in the best shape for my upcoming marathon. That being said, she is moving me towards a Clean Eating diet. Less processed foods. I’m going to really embrace this, although I have a pantry to work through before I can really set onto this path. So, it will be a slow move in that direction, but I’ll get there.

That being said, today I decided to give a “Clean Eating” breakfast a try. After hitting up the gym for some cross training (it’s cross training day) and some strength training, I came into work and prepared what is known as a Breakfast Banana Split. The concept came from Clean Eating Magazine…but I substituted cottage cheese (BLECH!) for Greek yogurt (YUM!). Let me tell you…it’s awesome!

Recipe: Breakfast Banana Split

Servings: 2
Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

2 medium bananas
1 cup Greek yogurt
3 tablespoons all-fruit strawberry jam
Fresh pineapple, chopped
2 Tablespoons roasted peanuts, chopped
Pinch of sea salt

Directions:

Peel and cut each banana in half lengthwise.

Place 2 banana halves in a shallow dish or bowl (or a deep traveling container if you’re off to work).

Place 1/2 cup of the Greek yogurt over center of banana and top with 1 1/2 tablespoons jam, 1 tablespoon peanuts and a pinch of salt.

Repeat with remaining ingredients to assemble 1 more Breakfast Banana Split.

Serve immediately.

~*~*~

Yes…it really is that simple. Basic, real ingredients that leave you feeling satisfied and good about your breakfast. I loved this and can’t wait to make it again! The flavors are perfectly matched. And the Greek yogurt gives you that hit of protein to go along with the fruits and the nuts that you are pairing with it. It’s like having dessert for breakfast. And it tastes…oh…so good!

Dig in.

June 17, 2013

The C-Word…

If I may have your attention for a moment for this sobering…serious…and rather important blog. Please. I’ll only take up a moment of your time. And I will start by butchering the first part of a famous advice dispensed by Mary Schmich, published in 1997 in the Chicago Tribune. It goes something like this:

Ladies and Gentlemen…Readers of my blog…

Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it. The long term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience…I will dispense this advice now…

Wait for it…

I have skin cancer.

I was diagnosed with the most common form of skin cancer – Basal cell carcinoma.

Basal cell carcinoma is a slow-growing form of skin cancer. Skin cancer falls into two categories – nonmelanoma and melanoma. This particular form is a type of nonmelanoma skin cancer. It is also the most common form of cancer in the United States.

Basal cell carcinoma starts in the top layer of the skin, normally in an area that is regularly exposed to sunlight or other ultraviolet light. Mine…appeared on my right temple. And to be honest…I have had it for a long, long time.

For years now, I have had this pink bump on my right temple, which I can’t even remember when it first appeared, but I have honestly had it for ages. It looked like a zit. And that’s what I thought it was. Every now and again, I’d scratch it and it would open up…then heal. So it never really went away. And, for some reason, I never found this to be odd. Not once did I question it. Why should I? I’m 32 years old. I’m good about wearing hats and putting on sunscreen.

But…that’s the thing. I wasn’t always good about it. Growing up, I had quite a few bad sunburns…all of which were of my own error…like swimming for six hours in the heat of the day without sunscreen. Forgetting to reapply sunscreen after toweling off at the pool, lake, or ocean. Those happened so long ago. As I got older, I got better about it…because sunburns hurt.

But this form of cancer is very common in people with light-colored or freckled skin (I have both); people with blue, green or gray eyes (I have green), people with blond or red hair (I’m a blond); and people who had many severe sunburns early in life (raises hand). Among others…but I fit the bill with all of those.

So…what made me decide to get this spot checked out?

An article. A simple article about skin cancer in a recent issue of Family Circle, a magazine that randomly started showing up in my mailbox. I almost threw it away, but decided to page through it, in case it had some good recipes inside or something. I stopped at a few articles, and the one on skin cancer caught my attention. It described the different types of skin cancer and the ways you can tell if you are at risk or might need to get checked out. The description of the Basal cell carcinoma sounded just like the spot that was on my right temple. I decided to be proactive about it and ask about it when I went in to see my doctor that following week to get a physical checkup and an okay to start training for my first marathon. After getting a clean bill of health and the okay to proceed with training, I asked about the spot. My doctor said it looked like a cyst, but to be safe she’d get me set up with a local dermatologist and have him look at it.

On June 11th, I went into the dermatologists office for my appointment. He took one look at it and said it looked like it was a small Basal cell carcinoma, but he’d do a biopsy on it just to be certain. They numbed me and performed the biopsy right there. Bandaged me up. Sent me on my way saying they would have the results in 10 days.

They called me back that Friday and confirmed that the biopsy results came back as a positive for Basal cell carcinoma. I was assured that this was very treatable and that I would be coming in in two weeks to have a procedure performed that would remove the cancerous cells. Then, in three months, I’ll come back and they will make sure nothing is has returned.

I think I went into a bit of shock that morning with the news. It was early, so very few people were at my office. I held it together, surprisingly. I didn’t say a word of it to anyone, except my roommate. And for the rest of the day, I tried not to focus on it, worry about it, or think too much about it. I got through the day, surprisingly well.

But the weight of it hit me on Saturday morning at my race in Frankfort, Kentucky. I cried twice before the race even began. Then I cried again at the finish line. I used the race as a chance to clear my head…to leave my demons behind and focus on the next step…defeating it. I wasn’t going to let cancer run this body. Only I run this body. It was an emotionally draining time in Frankfort, but I managed to keep it together after those three breakdowns.

So…when I say…wear sunscreen…please take my advice.

I religiously wear sunscreen. If I am going out for a run, not only am I slapping on sunscreen, but I’m donning a hat with a brim. I’m wearing sunglasses with UV protection. I’ve done this from the very start. But…here I sit…telling my friends, my family, my fellow readers that I…a girl who hides from the sun, who runs early to avoid it, who hasn’t had a bad sunburn since high school…that I have skin cancer. It hurts. It stings. It confuses me because I hide from the sunlight. I try to take every step to prevent this. And then…it hits me anyway.

Cancer.

But…the most treatable form. And that…is the blessing…the silver lining in all of this.

On June 26th, I return to my dermatologist office to get treated for this cancer. If all goes well, they’ll get it cleaned out and me on the road to recovery in no time. I’m hoping for that. It’s not an easy place for me right now. I’m scared…which I hate…because no one likes to hear the word “cancer” when it comes to their body. This diagnosis comes with demons that I am now trying to shake off, leave behind, and never have darken my doorstep again. I am lucky to have people who are supporting me with good thoughts, prayers, and a whole lot of understanding.

My dearest family, friends, and readers…please…wear sunscreen. Don’t just stop at sunscreen. If you are going to be out in the sun, prevention has to go further than that. Even if you don’t intend to be outside for a long time, put that sunscreen on. Even if it is overcast…put that sunscreen on. Make sure you apply a good amount to all exposed areas, including your ears. Do NOT miss your temples near your hairline. Make sure your sunscreen blocks both UVA and UVB light. Make sure it is waterproof…all you runners, swimmers, walkers and hot-weather haters. Apply the sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside and make sure you reapply. Do this even in the winter time. The dangers of UVA and UVB lights do not disappear when cold weather creeps in. Wear hats to keep the top of your head and your face protected from sunlight. Cover up. Most running clothes do come with some sun protection, but in those hot summer months, sometimes putting on an extra layer of clothing doesn’t sound good. I run in my sports bra…so I make sure I slather on sunscreen.

What it comes down to is…you can be so careful about sun exposure…and still wind up in a situation from me. I’m asking you to take this experience…this advice…and make sure that this doesn’t happen to you as well. If you are out in the sun a lot…if you have spots on your skin that are of some concern…go to a dermatologist. Do not put it off for years like I did. I didn’t know…but I’m hoping my story will help you become more aware…maybe take actions of your own to prevent this from happening to you.

What you do with any of this advice is up to you. Keep it in the back of your mind. Start to apply it to your own life. You can do whatever you wish…but as the speech says at the very end…

“…trust me on the sunscreen.”