The Celiathlete

September 28, 2012

Republic Bank Big Hit 1/4 Marathon – Louisville, KY (September 23, 2012)

Me crossing the finish line at the Republic Bank Big Hit 1/4 Marathon - Louisville, Kentucky — Me crossing the finish line at the Republic Bank Big Hit 1/4 Marathon – Louisville, Kentucky

Race: Republic Bank Big Hit 1/4 Marathon

Place: Louisville, Kentucky

Date: September 23, 2012

Time: 52:46

It was another chilly morning in the low 40s when I woke up at home to get ready for the Republic Bank Big Hit 1/4 Marathon. I was actually pretty excited about this race. I ran it last year…in 1:03:49. It was held at the end of October last year, however, instead of the end of September. They moved the date due to the bitter cold weather we had. A lot of people initially complained, saying September would still be too hot for the races. Boy…were they ever wrong.

The Big Hit race series is actually a double race. Not only is there the rare 1/4 Marathon, but it runs with the 1/2 Marathon as well. For over four miles, the races are together. There was the split, where the 1/4 Marathoners turn left and the 1/2 Marathoners turn right around 3rd Street in downtown Louisville. They still have a lot of race to go…while those of us in the 1/4 Marathon are coming into the home stretch.

A 1/4 Marathon is a 6.55 mile run, just over a 10K. And I love this distance. Don’t get me wrong, I love my half marathons as well, due to the challenge and the stress I have to work through to run them. But when it comes to races, the 10K distance is one of my favorites to run. This was another reason I was super-psyched to be out this morning at this race. Not only that, I have been a part of the Big Hit race series now for the two years it has been around. Both times running in the 1/4 Marathon. Maybe next year I’ll do the half. We’ll see. It depends on my training schedule as I have a much bigger race that I’m prepping for that fall.

But, the journey to the race actually starts at the expo the morning before the big race. While there is race day packet pick-up at this race, I prefer to have my stuff prior to the big day. I feel a bit more together when I don’t have to go stand in line and then jostle everything around, trying to get pinned up and ready to run. It’s race day. I need to feel relaxed. Eat my banana. Stretch. Talk to people. Chill. Zen. Get in the zone. So, Saturday morning after running a few important errands (local coffee, picked up my gluten-free birthday cake, indulged in gluten-free pumpkin doughnuts), my roommate and I pulled up to Slugger Field in Louisville, Kentucky and parked. We climbed out of the car and made the stroll to the stadium, entering through the main doors and stepping inside.

Now, I love race expos. I think they are a great way to showcase other races in or around the area, and get vendors in to sell products to the runners. But…as with a lot of the races around here…this expo had next to nothing in it. The local running store was there. And Jam Active was promoting the fall Tap ‘N Run (which runs this weekend)…so my face was front and center on the promotional backdrop once again. A few local companies were there…but that was it. You know…I spend money at race expos. This is a great opportunity for businesses and vendors and other races to get out there and promote. That’s something I hope they work on for the future events.

Packet pick-up was a breeze. My line was short…with only one other woman in front of me. And…my bib number was the start of that line. Number 2500. It was funny. I was asked what my bib number was and when I told them, the lady in charge of that line went, “AH! Karen! I feel like I know you. I’ve been staring at your name all day!” It made me giggle. I told her that now she didn’t have to. And she replied that now it was Kristen she’d get to stare at. I collected the envelope with my timing chip in it and my bib. Then I was directed over to the next line of tables which had the drawstring swag bag and the t-shirt pick-up. One thing I also hope they go back to from the previous year is the women’s cut tech shirts. I loved that option the previous year, but they weren’t doing it this year. The shirts were back to being short sleeve. And I signed up to get a small. I got a small, but it’s still freakin’ big on me. I find this to be an issue with most t-shirts I receive at races. I am not built like a man…so the shirts just look strange on me. Doesn’t matter though. I still wear them proudly. I collected my swag bag and shirt and then…I was done. With no vendors to really walk through, my roommate and I headed home.

That afternoon…I did my new pre-race ritual…and went out for a belated birthday lunch (my birthday was September 19) with my roommate’s family. I chose to eat at the Mellow Mushroom in Louisville as I knew they had gluten-free pizza. And my superstitious athletic brain now has my consumption of pizza the day before a big race as linked to my fantastic finishing times I have had as of late. The big races I ran after eating pizza (or something pizza-like) have me setting new PRs and turning out a great race. The one recent time I deviated (pad thai before the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon), the race went horribly wrong. So…pizza it is. Until that fails me. After a delicious couple of slices of Gluten-Free Kosmic Karma pizza…it was back to the apartment for presents and the most amazing gluten-free strawberry cake I have ever had, compliments of a local allergen-free bakery, Annie May’s Sweet Café. Even if you don’t have food allergies…check them out. Their products are awesome! When everyone left, I picked up a little and then settled in for a relaxing evening. Because I know how high-strung I can be on race mornings.

And so, it was another early 4 a.m. wake-up for me. I got up with my alarm and got out of bed. The first thing I have to do is get dressed. Even though I was home, I had laid out my clothing for the race the night before. As the primary colors of the half and quarter marathons are orange and purple (the 1/4 Marathon is orange), I dug out my Frostbite 5K tech shirt (long sleeves) and my really crazy fun shorts. Problem was, you couldn’t tell I had the shorts on when I wore the shirt, so I went to my regular running shorts instead. I topped off the look with some fun knee-high socks and my running shoes. The hair extensions were purple and orange that morning and my hair was properly put up in pigtails. One of the BondiBands I picked up in Dayton was my headband of choice…it simply said, “iRun.”

When my roommate got up, I poured us some cereal to get something in our stomachs this early. Then I grabbed a Luna Bar for her breakfast later and my banana to eat about an hour before the race. This is another combination that seems to work for me. No peanut butter this time. No honey either. Just the banana. And, with that, we grabbed my race bag with my change of clothes, the sign, and away we went.

Since we left with plenty of time to spare, we had no trouble getting to Slugger Field at all. That’s how it always works. No worries though. This just meant we had our pick of parking in the lot. So we pulled in, chose a spot, and parked. Grabbing our stuff, we headed into Slugger Field toward where the packet pick-up/expo was. Packet pick-up for those who didn’t make it there on Saturday was open, but Cathy and I bypassed everything to claim a spot near the ticket booths (and a heating vent) to just sort of settle in until it was race time. We dropped off our goods and I decided to hit up the bathroom at the stadium then because it would be empty…and they flushed. As I’ve stated before…I’m a princess. If flushing toilets are available…I use them before I even consider a port-a-pottie. I know…princess. I can’t help it. I’m a germ-a-phobe! So, I did that and made my way back, glancing longingly at the crew that was setting up the beautiful Finish banner across home plate at Slugger Field. I told the Finish that I would see it soon. Then, I hurried out of the cold and back into the heated interior of Slugger Field. Just as I settled in, a text message from my friend Nikky came through. She was asking about if I was wearing long or short sleeves. I told her long sleeves but shorts (because…that’s how I roll…or run in this case). She said she was going to layer up. I told her I would see her at the end of the race, when we planned to meet up.

Here we have the ever-present LONG wait to the start happens. While I like not feeling rushed when I arrive at a race, the hurry up and wait game gets a little old a lot fast. Runners…you know what I mean. So, Cathy and I just stood around talking, watching as the first few runners filtered in. Soon…there were more. All of them were doing pre-race routines. The guy from Fleet Feet was giving out free massages with a roller and screaming at runners about putting Band-Aids on their nipples and using Body Glide (which they supplied) to prevent chafing. It made me giggle. A lot. Runners were now filling up the interior of Slugger Field, some finding places to stretch out, or eat a power bar of some sort, or just meet up with the people they were running with. It was nearly 6:50 a.m. now, so I handed Cathy her Luna Bar and I started peeling my banana to snack on and give some time to digest (I usually allot an hour) before the big run. We chatted and after I finished the banana, I got up to throw away the peel and then begin my own stretches. This definitely got me loosened up. I did what I could to stay warm. But it was inevitable…it was time to head out to the Start line. That meant…stepping out into the 43 degree morning air. I kept my hoodie on, of course, and away I went.

The morning was cold. And as we walked with other runners towards the start line, we just sort of talked about the previous year and how much colder it was then. So, this was a blessing in disguise. The signs for the pace groups were up for the race, and I said I was going to hang out with the 9 minute per mile club. Cathy told me to move up to the back of the 8 minute per mile group, so I did. She was a bit more optimistic than me, apparently. It was cold, so I told her I was just going to run a comfortable race. Get warmed up and go from there. My only goal was to beat last year. Despite having a fantastic race at the Rock ‘N Sole Quarter Marathon in Milwaukee and setting a new PR of 54:52, I wasn’t confident I could beat that here…despite the flat course. I started to let my Garmin search for satellites as Cathy gave me a hug, told me to have a good race, and went to stand on the other side of the Start line to cheer me on as I got started on the race.

The announcer at this race was great. We had a bit of a delay with the start simply because the time clocks needed to be synched. So, once that happened, he began the big countdown. And then…as I started my iPod…we were off. I crossed the starting line, started my Garmin, and flashed a peace sign at Cathy as I took off on the opening stretch of downtown Louisville street. Despite the cold…I already felt good being out and doing the run. I love races because I get to run with other people. Even if we don’t say anything…the camaraderie is amazing and it does help with pacing. I followed the people in front of me around a corner and through the first mile of the race. I actually didn’t even hear my watch beep at me. As I came through the first mile…I didn’t see a time clock or mile marker…but I did see a group of people up near the corner. We were running back past Slugger Field and some spectators stayed out to cheer people through the first mile. Cathy was one of them. I spotted her and the sign when I rounded the corner. It does make a huge difference to see your friends and family throughout the race. Even if this was early…it made me smile. And, with her telling me to “GO!”…I was through the first mile and heading into the rest of the race, feeling refreshed.

I headed into the second mile, this time seeing a mile marker and a time clock. The clock was wrong…displaying the time for one mile…but that’s why I have a Garmin. I really wasn’t interested in my time. I was taking on this race with a very zen attitude. I wasn’t going to look at my pace. I was just going to keep it comfortable. I could have pushed it. I need to start doing that more, to be honest. But not this race. This race I was taking on with a whole new attitude than normal. Let the pace set itself. Run your comfort zone. Push only if you feel the need to. And that was how I did it. Mile 3 was upon me in no time. And then…Mile 4. I didn’t see a mile marker or clock here either…but I might have just been zoned in. What I did know was that the big race split was coming. I needed to hang to the left. And all half marathoners were going right. So, I moved left on the road and sure enough, I could see a volunteer directing race traffic to the proper route, a giant sign behind her giving the split information as well.

Me celebrating at the finish line of the Republic Bank Big Hit 1/4 Marathon with finisher's medal in hand — Me celebrating at the finish line of the Republic Bank Big Hit 1/4 Marathon with finisher’s medal in hand

I turned left and could see only a couple of runners ahead of me. I think the majority of people taking part in the races were doing the half marathon. And as I headed after them, I saw the marker for Mile 5 ahead. One more mile and then the last .55 and I was done. This is where I can always taste it. And my legs felt good. My feet felt amazing. So, I picked it up a little. Like I said, I would push where I felt I needed to. I didn’t need to, but my run was feeling so great, I figured why not just speed up slightly. So, down and around the downtown hotels I went. Then, around a corner and toward Slugger Field. It was getting real here. I was so close…I knew I was close. Mile 6 ticked off and I was heading toward the stadium. I could hear the announcer as I pushed myself into the open area of the outfield wall and turned to make the run toward the finish line. I rounded the left field area and hit the white cloth laid out across the baselines. I sprinted down past third base and toward home plate, where the finish line was calling to me. My time looked awesome. It was at 52 minutes when I crossed, meaning, without even trying, I not only beat out (by a long-shot) my previous year’s time…but I also set a new PR for a Quarter Marathon…beating out Milwaukee by 2 minutes.

I felt amazing when I crossed that finish line. I heard the announcer say my name as I was nearing the actual finish. She said, “And here comes Karen…with her pigtails flying.” I guess I’ll always get called out for my pigtails…but that’s my racing style…and it won’t change unless I drastically cut my hair. LOL! I received my finisher’s medal and continued on to where I saw Cathy, shaking the cow bell and waving the sign at me. I threw my arms up in victory. She said something like, “Holy crap!” And then she told me to go get my stuff and to meet her at the end of it. So, into the Race Recovery area I went. I snagged another banana, an orange, some water, and a granola bar for Cathy…who I knew was probably hungry by now. Then, I managed to cut the timing tag off my shoe on my own and head up the stairs to the top of the stadium to meet her. I was bouncing with happiness. I downed my orange and some water before posing in front of the Republic Bank Big Hit backdrop.

Then Cathy told me to go and get my results. I did. And when I was handed the slip with my name and time on it…I was shocked. Not just by my time, but by the fact that it had me listed as 1st in my division (30-34). I think I said, “Holy shit!” and passed it off to Cathy, telling her, much like Geist…that was sure to change. I nibbled on my banana and we headed down to sit on some chairs and wait for Nikky to finish up her run. She said she would text me when she got done, but I was hoping to catch her as she came through the finish. I missed her though because I got the text suddenly…so I told her to meet me at Results. I went up to the table again and had them pull my results again…and I was still listed as first in my division. Guess this time it stood.

Nikky and I after we both finished the Big Hit 1/4 Marathon - Louisville, Kentucky — Nikky and I after we both finished the Big Hit 1/4 Marathon – Louisville, Kentucky

Nikky found me and we hugged and congratulated each other on a good race. We had a good time just standing around and talking. I told her to come out to the BlueMile Fun Run’s on Monday (yes, Keith…I am coming back to those) and she said she would definitely consider joining in. We discussed other races in the area that we are running. And things we want to do next year. It was fun to meet her in person, finally. And we just easily fell into conversation, discussing anything and everything. I got to meet her husband. And after we talked and talked and talked…we all parted ways. I wanted to go get into warmer clothes as I was currently still in running shorts and my lips were turning blue. So, I grabbed my running bag from Cathy and ducked into the bathroom to change into jeans and my hoodie. When I emerged, she was settled in near the Papa John’s area of the stadium where awards were going to be handed out. And…as I won my division…I was getting an award. The ceremony still had about 30 minutes until the start, so we cheered on the half marathon runners coming in for their finish.

Then…awards were given. Three deep in each division…and then for overall men and women (three deep). When my name was called, Cathy made a lot of noise. I went up to receive my certificate to pick up my engraved bat once it was ready. I can’t even express how surprised I still feel over that division placement. I am just amazed with how I just set out to run a comfortable race and then ended up having my best one yet. My actual award had to be custom made…so I have to wait to receive it. But it will be next week.

The official results of the Republic Bank Big Hit 1/4 Marathon have me finishing in 52:46. I was 54/486 finishers overall. I was 13/322 women runners to cross the finish line in the 1/4 Marathon. And I placed 1/58 in my age division. Not only did I just set a new PR for a 1/4 Marathon, but I placed first in my division too. This means that next week, I get to head down to Fleet Feet and pick up a custom engraved bat with my name, time, and division placement on it. It was so unexpected to even place in this race. I am still shocked…and thrilled. Maybe all this hard work I’m pouring into my training is paying off.

For a race well run…I went to the North End Café in Louisville and treated myself to a delicious (and BIG) gluten-free pancake. Just what the race doctor ordered. Post-race carbs always taste the best.

And now…I’m ready to hit up this race again next year and see if I can do even better!

September 27, 2012

Original Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Cracker is still my favorite gluten-free cracker

Product: Crunchmaster Gluten-Free Original Multi-Seed Crackers – $3.79+

Honesty is the best policy.

So, this isn’t the first time I have eaten the Original variety of Crunchmaster’s Multi-Seed Crackers. They are the crackers that are tucked inside my GoPicnic Hummus Meals and were the gluten-free crackers that my boss spotted at Sam’s Club…saw the gluten-free label and thought of me. And then bought me a bulk box of them. Which, I happily devoured, mind you. I mean…I gave him a hug when he gave me the entire box because he saw gluten-free and wanted me to be able to have snacks at the office when they bring stuff in, since normally I can’t as they are donuts, muffins, cakes, etc. that all have lots of gluten in them.

However…this was the first actual bag of these crackers that I bought myself…and that is why they are only now being reviewed.

So first…the nitty-gritty.

The Original flavor of Crunchmaster Multi-Seed Crackers has and will always be one of my favorite gluten-free crackers out there. These very versatile crackers are packed with a variety of flavorful toasted seeds, of which include sesame, quinoa, flax and amaranth. Then, these are lightly seasoned with a wheat free tamari soy sauce. They are all natural and made from 100% whole grain. In addition, they are cholesterol free, gluten-free, sugar free, and also vegan and dairy free. These snack crackers only set you back 140 calories for 15 of the crackers…which are by no means small. In fact, they are the size of a saltine, just shaped in a octagon.

But what about flavor? Well, they are one of my favorites for a reason, yes? Packed with flavor and not loaded with salt, these crackers are a delicious treat for any time of the day. They are amazing on their own, but I have enjoyed them with a schmear of peanut butter, or hummus, or even some non-dairy cheese. They can be topped off in a variety of ways…or just eaten plain and on their own. That’s where the magic is. And trust me when I say they are delicious. They pack a flavorful crunch that keeps you satisfied.

Yeah…I devour these whenever I have them on hand.

So good. So…I think when you see these at your grocery store…take a chance…try them out. And I promise, you will not be disappointed. Crunchmaster wins again!

September 27, 2012September 27, 2012

Recipe: Sweet Corn and Spicy Pepper Soup

Ah…I love fall. Want to know why? Aside from sweaters, hot cider, hot chocolate, and beautiful colors throughout the landscape, autumn ushers in the official start of soup season. What makes soup season even more exciting and interesting this year is the fact that I now get a bin of fresh, organic, and local produce from my CSA…giving me a lot of creative license when it comes to cooking up some sort of soup.

Recently, thanks to Pinterest, I found a recipe that really caught my attention. Even more so because, save for the parsley, some spicy peppers and the avocado, I had everything else from my CSA bin. It was as if I were being told to make it. The original recipe turned up on a page called Naturally Ella, but, as I most often do, I changed the recipe slightly as far as how much of something got added and so forth. The soup yields 4 delicious servings and it is very low in calories for being so creamy. In fact, only one serving will set you back 231 calories. And that’s with the avocado as garnish (it’s a healthy belly-flattening fat!).

So, below is my modified recipe. This is gluten-free, low calorie, and completely vegan as well.

Recipe: Sweet Corn and Spicy Pepper Soup

Servings: 4
Time: Prep 10 minutes; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

4 ears sweet corn
2 jalapeño peppers, seeds removed
1 medium red pepper
2 small serrano peppers, seeds removed
½ medium red onion
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-3 cups veggie broth
juice from one lime
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup minced flat leaf parsley
½ cup unsweetened almond milk, optional
1 avocado

Directions:

In a medium pot, heat olive oil over medium heat.

Dice onion and peppers, add to pot. Cook until onion is translucent, 4-5 minutes

Remove corn from cob and add to cooked peppers/onion mixture. Continue to cook for 2-3 more minutes.

Stir in 2 cups veggie broth and salt, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Let cook for 15-20 minutes.

Remove from heat and using either an immersion blender or regular blender, puree soup.

Return to heat and stir in cilantro, heavy cream, and more veggie broth if needed. Heat for 1-2 more minutes over medium low. Taste and add more salt if needed.

To serve, slice avocados and add to top of soup.

~*~*~

This soup was a delicious blend of sweet and spicy with the fresh combination of sweet corn and the spicy peppers. The spice didn’t overwhelm the rest of the meal. It was just the right level of heat. Even my roomie, who is a spice-wimp loved the level of heat in this soup. If you do not like heat, remove seeds from jalapeños and serranos as much as possible. I did this just because I knew my roommate would be eating it as well as me. But if you love a hit of spice in your soup, leave the serrano and jalapeño seeds in!

In the end, you are left with a creamy, delicious soup that is not just filling…but healthy too.

It’s soup season, friends. Let’s get that soup on!

September 27, 2012

Annie May’s Sweet Café hits a gluten-free (and allergen-free) sweet spot in Louisville, Kentucky

Restaurant: Annie May’s Sweet Café, Louisville, Kentucky

I don’t know how I didn’t know about this place sooner. Well…I actually found out about it months ago and have been following their Twitter feed, hearing about the gluten-free goodies that they are whipping up, not just in their bakery, but for breakfast and lunch too. Why it took me this long to check them out probably had to do with me putting my foot down and saying that this year I really didn’t want to bake my own birthday cake. Because, let’s face it…no one should have to bake their own cake.

That was what lit a fire under my roommate and she made a call to Louisville’s only completely gluten-free, soy free, peanut free, and tree nut free bakery. Even better, upon request, most items can also be made without egg and/or dairy products. Living in this area with food allergies just got a lot more delicious.

You see, the owner of Annie May’s Sweet Café, Annie May McGill, was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance back in 2009. What grew out of that was a mission to create amazing allergy-free recipes. She is joined by Kenna Nelson, a pastry chef who was also a Biology major. She finds the chemistry behind gluten-free baking fascinating and from this pair…Annie May’s Sweet Café grew. By 2010, Annie May’s was a wholesale delivery service. And a year later, their current shop opened up. And thank the gluten-free gods for them. Annie May’s mission is to provide desserts that taste so good, you wouldn’t even be able to guess that they are gluten-free. Let me tell you…mission accomplished. In fact, the recipes that she developed over the years taste so amazing, many of the customers who visit or frequent Annie May’s Sweet Café don’t even have food allergies. Food that good is worth opening a shop for. In addition to the small selection of goodies in the bake case each day, Annie May’s also offers a dine-in eating option. And, you can place an order on anything and customize it as you need.

Once again…how did I not get to this place until now?

I guess I just needed to have my birthday roll around. And when it did, my roommate made a call and ordered me a simple 6″ Strawberry Cake with a Vegan Chocolate Ganache icing. Nothing fancy, you wouldn’t think. Just a simple gluten-free cake that myself and her family could enjoy after my birthday lunch. I actually did a happy dance of joy when she came over to my office and told me she had just placed an order with Annie May’s Sweet Café for my birthday cake. I had to wait until Saturday, the day of the lunch with her family, for the cake, but…I could do it. Of course, all week it was all I talked about and I totally couldn’t wait to go and pick it up on Saturday morning.

Anticipation makes the week move slowly, but Saturday morning arrived. After going for a very short run (I was running a 1/4 Marathon on Sunday morning), Cathy and I hopped into the car and drove over to Louisville to get some morning coffee, pick up my race packet, and…finally set foot in Annie May’s Sweet Café. Coffee was first, and we did that in rather quick time at our new favorite local spot in Louisville. From there, it was time to hit up the bakery.

As we drove up Frankfort Avenue…we missed the little corner shop at first. I spotted it as we drove by, actually. So, we turned around and came back, parking and preparing for our first visit to Annie May’s.

As we stepped inside, there was a large group of people around a table, drinking coffee and enjoying some food. I skipped up to the counter with Cathy, who let the lady behind the counter know we were picking up my birthday cake. As she went to go get it, I began scoping out the bake case. Everything looked so delicious. I was drooling. And, the cereal I ate for breakfast was now long gone…and the café smelled so good. I think Cathy felt the same way because she said we should get something to eat.

Much rejoicing.

Annie May's Sweet Café's Vegan & Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Doughnut and Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Doughnut — Annie May’s Sweet Café’s Vegan & Gluten-Free Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Doughnut and Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Doughnut

It just so happened that Annie May’s had a delicious looking selection of Pumpkin Doughnuts done four ways – Maple Glazed, Chocolate Ganache, Cinnamon Glazed, and Cinnamon Sugar. I was in heaven. First a birthday cake…now allergen-free and vegan pumpkin doughnuts. Pardon me while I pull a Wayne’s World here and bow down to both Annie May and Kenna and chant, “We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy!” Well, since there were doughnuts involved we each had to get one. I went with the Cinnamon Sugar Pumpkin Doughnut ($2.49) and Cathy opted for the Chocolate Ganache Pumpkin Doughnut ($2.49). They graciously packed them up in a box, we paid, tipped, and headed out to the car.

And then…the cop moment of the day happened. I was sitting in the parking lot of Annie May’s Sweet Café with my Pumpkin Spice Almond Milk Latte from Highland Coffee, noshing on a gluten-free pumpkin doughnut. Life had never seemed so good than that moment. I eagerly opened the little box that cradled the doughnuts in paper. I handed Cathy a napkin and her chocolate ganache covered doughnut. Then I grabbed mine and eagerly took a bite.

OH. MY. GOD. The gluten-free doughnut gods were smiling on me that day. These were beyond fantastic. These were beyond amazing. These topped Katz Gluten-Free Donuts (because these didn’t have to be frozen…these were fresh and you could tell). These were one of the best doughnuts I had ever eaten. The consistency was that of a normal cake doughnut. It had that heavy, filling feel to it. The flavor was tops. I loved the sweetness of the added cinnamon and sugar on the outside of it. It was soft, chewy, and sooooooooo delicious. Cathy was making happy noises as she noshed on the chocolate ganache version. And, of course, we each broke off a piece of ours to share with the other. Let me tell you…the chocolate ganache pumpkin doughnut was out of this gluten-free world. The chocolate added a kick of rich sweetness that blended so well with the cake-like doughnut that it coated. I loved it. Seriously.

So, if the doughnuts were any indication of what would happen with my cake…I was riding high on gluten-free cloud nine. We left Annie May’s Sweet Café, resisting the urge to go back in for more doughnuts…although the temptation nearly won us over. After a quick swing by Slugger Field to pick up my race packet, we headed back home with the cake…and a lot of growing anticipation to cut into it. But lunch had to happen first. And so…it did.

My birthday cake from Annie May's Sweet Café: Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache — My birthday cake from Annie May’s Sweet Café: Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache

Afterwards, however, we all congregated back at our apartment for gifts and goodies. Goodies being…a slice of my 6″ Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Chocolate Ganache Icing ($20.00). I opened up the box and was just wowed by the cake. And that was before even slicing into it. It looked beautiful. No corners were cut. Annie May’s took great care and even wrote Happy Birthday Karen on it in delicious vegan icing. Seriously…they are artists there. They have to be, because my cake was one of the most beautiful desserts ever presented to me. Especially since I had to go gluten-free. I almost cried.

Cathy and Amanda took on the task of dressing up my cake with candles. And after I made a wish and blew them out…I went into the kitchen and began to slice into this gluten-free birthday masterpiece. This 6″ round cake is meant to serve 8 people. We had five. So, I cut pieces accordingly. And when I scooped out the first sliver…I was wowed. Not only was this cake a work of art on the outside…it was also one on the inside. Layers of strawberry cake with the vegan chocolate ganache greeted me. It was just beautiful. I cut out slices for everyone, then settled in on the living room floor with a fork and took my very anticipated first bite.

If Heaven were a birthday cake…it would look and taste like this one. In fact, I hope Heaven is a birthday cake that looks and tastes like this one. The strawberry cake itself was loaded with flavor. Often times, strawberry cakes can fall short when it comes to taste, but not this one. The cake was moist, bright pink, very strawberry (my favorite fruit, by the way), and not heavy or dense. And the vegan chocolate ganache was to die for. Rich with chocolate flavor, it coated each layer and made an amazing icing for the cake. Yeah…Heaven better be a lot like this cake because it sure as hell (heh…pun) tasted like Heaven to me. For the next couple of days, my roommate and I got to enjoy a couple more slices, making me one very pleased birthday girl.

I was beyond impressed by the quality and care that goes into the goods at Annie May’s Sweet Café. Honestly. The doughnuts were a great way to get a first impression. But the birthday cake they made for me was the chocolate-coated icing on the cake (literally!). I am so impressed that Annie May’s is now going to become a frequent stop on our trips over to Louisville on the weekend. Why? Because I love to support local businesses, even more when they cater to dietary restrictions like what I have. I want to try everything in their bake case. I want to stop in for their dine-in food and give everything they make a try. They didn’t just make me a gluten-free birthday cake…they made me one of the most delicious cakes I have ever eaten a slice of. No exaggeration. It beats out anything I had before I was diagnosed as gluten intolerant. It made me want to order a cake just for the hell of it. Sort of that need to try everything. Start working down the list.

I will resist…but I won’t keep myself from going back in and getting more goodies from the bake case. There is plenty of amazing allergen-free goodies to go around and for me to sample. For now, I thank Louisville for this gem of a business. It has definitely just made my list of favorite spots to go in Louisville. And…being right in my backyard, I sense that my Saturday mornings just got a lot more delicious.

Thank you, Annie May’s Sweet Café for making my birthday special…and for keeping an allergen-free business where I know I can safely enjoy the food and goods that you serve. I am forever in your debt.

And you better believe I’ll be back.

Now…excuse me while I go and sing your praises once more to everyone…

A slice of my Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache birthday cake, prepared by Annie May's Sweet Café — A slice of my Gluten-Free Strawberry Cake with Vegan Chocolate Ganache birthday cake, prepared by Annie May’s Sweet Café

September 26, 2012

Gluten-free pizza taken to a new height at Mellow Mushroom

Restaurant: Mellow Mushroom, Louisville, Kentucky

It was the day before a big race. And for me…that means…pizza.

Seriously…it brings me good racing mojo. It’s superstitious, yes, but it seems to work out. As of now, all my best races have been run the day after I had pizza for dinner. Why mess with the system, right? It also just so happened to be the weekend of my birthday. My birthday was earlier in the week, but my roommate’s family wanted to treat me to a lunch at any place of my choosing.

Now, this normally wouldn’t be a problem, but I tend to attempt to choose places that have options for everyone…and as a gluten-free vegetarian this isn’t always easy. Not everyone is keen on the tofu scene, if you catch my drift.

However, just recently, a new pizza joint opened up in Louisville, Kentucky. It was one I had been wanting to try out for ages, as they have locations throughout the states. Yes…I realize that this makes them a chain, but the gluten-free pizza is worth writing about. The place I speak of…is The Mellow Mushroom.

Now, a year ago, I had been invited up to Indianapolis for a birthday party that the birthday girl set at The Mellow Mushroom due to the gluten-free options. Just for me. And then, sadly, due to reasons I couldn’t get around, I couldn’t attend. But I had been talking about getting to a Mellow Mushroom ever since the invite…and it just never happened. I knew that Louisville was in the process of getting one, and a week before my birthday, as I drove by the location, I noticed that it was open. The answer to where to have my birthday lunch was answered.

So, Saturday afternoon rolled around and Cathy’s family arrived at the apartment. We took two cars over and figured we would meet up inside of the Mellow Mushroom itself. There is little to no place to park on Shelbyville Road, so we ended up parking at a lot up the way. Cathy’s mom managed to find a close spot, which was good for her and Aunt Judi. So, it all worked out. We were actually the first to arrive in the end, however, so Cathy, Amanda and I went inside and got a booth for five people. The three of us shared one side, and we left the other side open for Cathy’s mom and aunt. We were perusing the menu and trying to decide on what to get when the rest of the party showed up.

That being said…an appetizer was ordered. Not for me though, as there really are no gluten-free appetizers for me to enjoy. I was actually okay with that though, as I knew that the only size the gluten-free pizza came in was rather large, despite my roommate and I splitting it. They got the Spinach Artichoke Dip (7.95), which was this bowl full of cheesy, gooey cheese and artichoke hearts served with garlic toast. The rest of the table devoured it. And we were ready to place an order for our meals.

Amanda and Judi each contented themselves with one of the half hoagies that the menu offers. And Cathy’s mom got a 10″ Funky Q Chicken Pizza ($13.95).

Cathy and I were pretty set on what we wanted to get. We ordered the Gluten-Free Kosmic Karma Pizza ($19.95), which is served on a 12″ crust, which in Mellow Mushroom land…is six slices all together. The Kosmic Karma pizza means my gluten-free crust was topped with their red sauce base, then covered with feta and mozzarella cheeses, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes and Roma tomatoes. The extra finishing touch is a beautiful pesto swirl. I mean, this pizza was a work of art.

The Mellow Mushroom makes no qualms about the amount of time that it takes to serve their pizzas. They put a lot of work into them and that means, yes, they do take some time. That was the whole point of the appetizer that the rest of the table had. But when food arrived, we all were very happy with the items we had.

The Kosmic Karma pizza is absolutely delicious. I love the tomato-y combination of Roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, and the red sauce, which made an amazing base for the crust, which is made at The Mellow Mushroom and is a great combination of bean flour, tapioca flour, and rice flour. This made for a very crispy crust that didn’t fall apart when I bit into it. And the flavors just worked so well with the vegetarian toppings. I was one happy girl upon my first bite. And I savored each one. Honestly. I went back for a second piece, while my roommate tried out a slice of her mom’s regular pizza. She told me she preferred the gluten-free crust to the regular. That is definitely saying something.

I was so happy with the pizza that the Mellow Mushroom brought out. Their gluten-free crust was crunchy, flavored well, and held up to the toppings. I devoured it and then took the rest home to nosh on throughout the week. Guess what…the crust reheated with a crunch still. It made me love the Mellow Mushroom even more. I can’t express my elation with the flavors, the food, and the service we received there. I had a great experience and just loved everything about the establishment.

I intend to go back very soon for more amazing gluten-free pizza. Why? Because it really was that good.

Mellow Mushroom's Gluten-Free Kosmic Karma Pizza — Mellow Mushroom’s Gluten-Free Kosmic Karma Pizza

September 26, 2012

Really spice up snack time with Snikiddy Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries

Product: Snikiddy Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries – $3.49+

So…a couple weeks ago, I tried out my first ever Snikiddy product. While this company makes a plethora of gluten-free snacks, I had yet to pick any up. Why? Mostly my budget. But when my grocery store ran a sale on them, I was all about seeing what they were all about.

Prior to this, I had only tried the Snikiddy Cheddar Cheese Baked Fries. And I loved them. They were packed with cheesy flavor, but didn’t leave that crazy orange residue on your fingers. I loved the texture, the taste, everything about them.

The other flavor I bought at the time was Snikiddy’s Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries. I was quite excited to be trying these out after how much I enjoyed the plain cheddar ones. I dished up a serving size, 28 grams, and took them to work with me this week. At snack time, I pulled them out of my desk drawer, and popped the top. I snagged my first little fry, popped it in my mouth.

And BAM…cheese flavor. Right off the bat. My first thought was that these weren’t spicy at all. And then, that was when the heat kicked in. It wasn’t hot, but you could totally taste that jalapeno flavor through the mix of cheese, tomato, onion and garlic. I loved the spice. But just hadn’t expected it to be that pronounced. I actually coughed a little bit. My office mate looked over at me, and I said, “Wooo…spicy!”

But, that was what set these apart from the regular cheddar ones. These baked fries have that nice addition of heat to them, which blends well with the mix of cheddar and parmesan cheese that are incorporated onto each fry. I thought they tasted a lot like a fry that had been dipped into a cheesy, spicy queso. So delicious. That hit of heat at the end of each bite really makes these a showstopper. My palate was on fire…but in a good way.

Just as before, the Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries by Snikiddy are all-natural, gluten-free, wheat-free, contain no hydrogenated oils, no trans fats, and are low in saturated fat. These snacks are also very low on sodium and contain 50% less fat than regular potato chips. Snikiddy Southwest Cheddar Baked Fries are vegetarian, kosher, cholesterol free, and contain no MSG. One serving will only set you back 130 calories, and the serving size is a decent amount.

And they are spicy. These amazing little finger snacks are like having seasoned fries without the guilt. And the nice crunch is like what you would get when biting into Cheetoes…but with more healthy ingredients and nutritional stats.

These amazing snacks are hot, hot, hot…so if you like to add a little spice to your snack time, I highly recommend these.

September 25, 2012September 25, 2012

Dish up your ice cream in one of Goldbaums gluten-free ice cream cones

Product: Goldbaums Gluten-Free Ice Cones – $3.49+

There is just something so whimsical about ice cream cones? Perhaps it just reminds me of my childhood. There wasn’t a summer that went by that my family didn’t get into the car and drive across town to The Dairy Barn, which served up soft serve ice cream during the summer season. It was a fun treat and I savored the crunchy cone as much as I did the sweet ice cream that topped it off.

I think that is why being able to have ice cream cones means so much to me now. When I had to go gluten-free, I didn’t think I missed them. It had been ages since I had truly devoured ice cream in a cone. I was grown up now. I always got a bowl. It wasn’t a big deal. I wasn’t really missing out on anything, right?

Well, that was what I thought. And then gluten-free ice cream cones went on sale at my local grocery store. They were running a closeout on their entire gluten-free section, so my roommate and I grabbed what we thought we could use and took it all home. About a month ago, I had an ice cream cone for the first time in years…and for the first time since going gluten-free.

It was actually a surprise the other day when I sent my roommate out on a mission to get a few missing items from the grocery store. She headed out and when she returned, she had the necessary items…and a surprise. A different brand of gluten-free ice cream cones.

This time, the brand is Goldbaums, which is a company that was established in 2007 wanting to fill the gluten-free niche in the U.S. food industry. Gluten-free products were already out on the market, but CEO, Leah Parnes, felt they lacked certain qualities. With a mission in mind, Goldbaums set out to create gluten-free food perfection, starting with pasta and then branching out from there.

One of these products is the Goldbaums Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cones. These ice cream cones are not only gluten-free, but low in calories. In addition, these are flavored with vanilla, giving them a very pleasing sweetness to them. I also loved the crispy nature of the cones themselves. They didn’t get soggy when the ice cream began melting, and they held up against the dripping ice cream as well. I didn’t end up with a mess on my jeans or shirt, so that spoke volumes to me. I loved how crisp and light these were, not taking away from the flavor of the ice cream, but adding a touch of flavor to the palate.

These ice cream cones are very low in calories. A scant 11 calories is all you’ll be set back. These also only contain 3 grams of fat per cone. Not bad for a treat. Not bad at all. The cones are also kosher, GMO-free, and vegan.

These flavorful, sweet, and crunchy ice cream cones really rounded out my scoop of ice cream. I was tempted to make up another one, but resisted the urge. I’ve been savoring the cones ever since. My roommate is even in love with these.

And…Goldbaums makes a variety of different cones. So as long as I can track down the rest…I can continue to sample more gluten-free goodies. And that just might mean getting more dairy-free ice cream. I can live with that sacrifice.

Major props to Goldbaums for an amazing, high quality, very tasty product. My ice cream is once again a true treat to eat.

Goldbaums Gluten-Free Ice Cream Cone topped with a scoop of So Delicious Neapolitan Ice Cream

September 25, 2012

Recipe: Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Scones (with a Light Cream Cheese Icing)

The obsession with carrot cake these days all began with the abundance of carrots in my CSA bin this past week. I had a ton of them arrive and needed some way to use them. Chopping them up in a salad is an option, but that’s so conventional. After experimenting with a gluten-free carrot cake mix…then making my own gluten-free carrot cake pancakes…I thought to myself…”Self…why not make gluten-free carrot cake scones?” And why not, indeed. It was only logical.

So, below is a recipe of my own creation. These are good to eat on their own, but I love to top it off with my light cream cheese icing. Why? Because it sort of brings that whole carrot cake aura to the scones. Besides, it is absolutely delicious.

Recipe: Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Scones (with a Light Cream Cheese Icing)

Servings: 12
Time: Prep 15 minutes; Bake 17 minutes

Ingredients for scones:

2-1/4 cups Pamela’s Baking & Pancake Mix
2 tbsp light brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1 dash ground cloves
1 dash ground ginger
1/4 cup dry roasted peanuts, chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
4 tbsp unsweetened applesauce
1 tbsp pure pumpkin (I used Libby’s)
2/3 unsweetened almond milk
1 cup shredded carrots

Ingredients for light cream cheese icing:

4 ounces of cream cheese (I used Galaxy Nutritional Foods Vegan Cream Cheese)
2 tablespoons butter (I used Earth Balance Vegan Buttery Sticks)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups of confectioners sugar, sifted

Directions:

Gluten-Free Carrot Cake Scones (no icing)

Preheat oven to 375° F.

Mix the baking mix, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, salt, cloves, ginger and peanuts together.

Add the vanilla, applesauce, pumpkin, and almond milk. Mix together with a fork. Dough will be thick.

Fold in shredded carrots until well incorporated throughout the dough.

Drop large, tall dollops of dough (scones will spread when baking) onto lightly greased baking sheet.

Bake for 15-17 minutes.

Make the light cream cheese icing:

Place the cream cheese and butter in a medium-size mixing bowl and beat with an electric mixer on low speed until combined, 30 – 45 seconds.

Stop the machine and add the vanilla and 1 cup of the confectioners’ sugar. Beat with the mixer on low speed until combined, 30 seconds.

Add another cup of sugar and beat on low speed until combined, 15 seconds.

Add the remaining cup of confectioners’ sugar and beat until smooth, 15 – 30 seconds.

Increase the mixer speed to medium and beat the frosting until fluffy, 30 seconds longer.

Spread or drizzle over the top of the scones.

Enjoy!

~*~*~

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I whipped these up one evening. But the texture is great and the flavors just pop. They are quite good on their own, but the icing is, forgive the pun, the icing on the cake. This just makes carrot cake part of the scones seem more carrot cake-like. These are an easy breakfast to prepare and keep in the fridge. Just remove the icing to drizzle over reheated scones to allow it to soften before topping them off.

Completely happy with these and can’t wait to get loaded down with more carrots!

September 25, 2012

Soft and chewy texture of Bakery on Main’s Peanut Butter and Jelly granola bars can’t save the bad aftertaste

Bakery on Main's Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars — Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars

Product: Bakery on Main Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bars – $5.49

I really, really, really wanted to like these granola bars. Honestly. Why? Well, for one thing, they are the product of one of the best gluten-free companies out there. I fell in love with Bakery on Main through their gluten-free oatmeal and then again through their granola. But, since then, I have had little luck when it comes to their products. When I spotted these granola bars at the Gluten-Free Trading Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, I thought it was too good to be true.

Come on…it’s granola bars made to taste like everyone’s favorite go-to sandwich, yes? Peanut Butter and Jelly. Let me tell you…I was sold.

They came home with me and I put them in the pantry…where they taunted me as I worked my way through the snacks with earlier expiration dates. Then, last week, the moment I had been anticipating arrived. These delicious sounding granola bars were going to be my afternoon snack at the office. So, I excitedly opened up the box and placed one of the bars into my lunchbox and happily headed to work.

When my afternoon snack time rolled around, I eagerly took the granola bar out of my desk drawer and opened it up. I paused only long enough to snap a picture of it before I tore into it. Before I get into the flavor, let me tell you a little more about the product itself.

These chewy granola bars are made with certified gluten-free oats, amaranth and quinoa, making them a great source of whole grains. Couple that with the addition of flax and chia seeds and you also get a great source of not just Omega 3, but also Omega 6 fatty acids. Awesome. These bars are also made with real peanut butter and dried strawberries. Bakery on Main’s Web site says that these taste like an actual peanut butter and jelly sandwich. So, yeah, I was ready for my first bite.

Bakery on Main's Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar — Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar

So, imagine my disappointment when I took it…and was hit with not as much salty, nutty flavor as I anticipated. In fact, I feel that these bars suffer from lack of that peanut butter flavor. As for the dried strawberries, they didn’t help matters either. In fact, instead of lending that sweet “jelly” flavor to these bars, what I got was this weird chemical-like taste. The flavor was very off-putting. I tore of a piece of it and walked it over to where my roommate was working and told her I didn’t know what I thought of them and to try it. She said it had a weird aftertaste and I totally agreed with her. I was disappointed…but I was hungry, so I ate the rest of it.

Sadly though, when I got home I couldn’t bring myself to pack another one for the next day. Normally I don’t waste my gluten-free foods, even if I’m not a big fan of them…but I just couldn’t eat these the rest of the week. The flavor was so strange and chemical-like. Which is weird, since Bakery on Main uses no chemicals in their ingredients. Every ingredient listed on the box is something that I recognize immediately. And it is real food…nothing fake. No strange preservatives. These just didn’t sit right with my palate…and so…they were tossed. Since these are not cheap, I took the financial hit in order to enjoy my afternoon snack the following day.

This experience however has not soured me on Bakery on Main. I believe in their products. While I seem to have an on again – off again relationship with their variety of gluten-free offerings, I actually hope I can try their other flavors of granola bars. Maybe a different flavor will sit better with me and my taste buds.

As for Bakery on Main’s Peanut Butter and Jelly Soft & Chewy Granola Bars…I think I’ll stick to the actual sandwich instead. These just didn’t satisfy me and the taste was just off.

Bakery on Main's Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar (unwrapped) — Bakery on Main’s Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter and Jelly Granola Bar (unwrapped)

September 25, 2012

Recipe: Cheese and Fresh Corn Enchiladas

Awhile back while shopping at one of my numerous natural foods stores, I picked up a package of Rick Bayless’ Frontera brand Red Chile Enchilada Sauce. Why? I was wooed by the wonder and splendor of Rick Bayless, of course. That…and it was on sale, gluten-free, and I figured I could use it at some point.

The problem was…I had never made enchiladas before. For being such a big fan of enchiladas, and Mexican food in general, the fact that this sort of thing was not something I had ever attempted before made the task a little daunting. And for weeks, the Frontera Red Chile Enchilada Sauce sat on the shelf…untouched…and mocking me every time I went to the pantry for something.

But that changed last week when I finally said I was going to suck it up…and make enchiladas. I had a crazy amount of produce thanks to the arrival of my CSA bin so I just sort of made up a filling from things I had in my refrigerator and my freezer. The results? A creamy, delicious vegetarian enchilada that my roommate, to this day, hopes I recreate again soon.

Until then…here is my recipe for these Mexican morsels of cheesy wonder.

Recipe: Cheese and Fresh Corn Enchiladas

Servings: 5
Time: Prep 20 minutes; Cook 30 minutes

Ingredients:

10 corn tortillas
1/4 cup onion, minced
dash of garlic salt
dash of red pepper flakes
2 cups fresh corn kernels
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 can Rotel tomatoes with chiles
1 cup sour cream (I used Tofutti vegan sour cream)
3 cups shredded cheddar cheese (I used Cabot sharp white cheddar and NY sharp cheddar cheeses)
2 tablespoons butter
8-10 ounces of enchilada sauce (I used Frontera Red Chile Enchilada Sauce)

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.

Make the filling: In a wide frying pan, melt the butter and add the onions. Add the garlic salt and red pepper flakes. Sauté the onion until tender. Add the corn and cumin and 1/4 cup of water. Cover and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove cover and cook, stirring over high heat to boil away any remaining liquid. Remove from heat and stir in sour cream, half of the cheese, and the chiles. Add the chili powder and salt to taste.

Wrap the corn tortillas in a paper towel and microwave for 40 seconds, flipping them halfway through.

In a 9×13 baking dish, poor a scant amount of enchilada sauce in the bottom and spread it across the bottom of the pan.

Spoon about 1/4 cup of the filling into the middle of each tortilla. Roll the tortilla around the filling and place, seam side down, in the baking dish. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas. Cover the enchiladas evenly with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the top of the enchiladas.

Bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbly. Allow to sit for 5 minutes.

Serve and enjoy.

~*~*~

I was actually quite happy with the way my enchiladas turned out. The corn added a nice hint of sweetness to the filling and I loved how the sour cream added this bit of rich creaminess to it. This also made me fall in love with the Frontera brand of enchilada sauce as well. It was really delicious and the perfect amount for this meal. My roommate and I devoured these over the course of three days and already she is asking me to make it again. Now that I have created my own enchiladas and successfully executed them…I think that’s doable.

Looking for a creamy, sweet, and a little spicy meal for dinner…give these a try. And enjoy!