It is by sheer happenstance that I have had, since going gluten-free, a slice of gluten-free focaccia bread. And that happy moment occurred at a local, and now relocated (they moved out of Indiana and into Louisville) café here in the area. The restaurant was Earth Friends Café…and their gluten-free sandwiches were made on gluten-free focaccia bread, provided to them by one of my favorite local businesses, Annie May’s Sweet Café.
That feels like forever ago. It was…probably just over a year or so.
While I can still go to Earth Friends Café, it has been awhile. That is something I definitely need to change. Aside from that, however, that was the only time I had something different when I ordered a gluten-free sandwich. No Udi’s. No Schär. No prepackaged, store brand. Nope. It was real and amazing focaccia bread.
And that one time…an eternity ago…set the standard.
I attempted, once, to make a focaccia bread from a mix by Chēbē…which didn’t work out for me…at all. And that was that. Nothing more ever came of focaccia in my gluten-free life.
Until…one day…I was at my local natural food store and I spotted something I had never seen before. While I had heard of the Canyon Bakehouse brand via the various gluten-free magazines I subscribe to, and my annual trip out to Colorado (the Canyon Bakehouse dedicated gluten-free bakery is located in Loveland, Colorado), I had yet to actually taste any of their products. I had wanted to carry some home with me on my last trip to Colorado, but that final trip to the grocery store never actually happened. So…YAY…happy dance in the aisle when I spotted the brand in my area. FINALLY!
The freezer section actually had a few Canyon Bakehouse options inside now, but I zeroed in on the Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia. I have an abundance of gluten-free pasta in my pantry at the moment, so I figured…get some focaccia and get motivated to start cooking some of that up for dinner. With some pleading eyes and maybe a pout, I convinced my roommate to allow one extra splurge this week to our grocery budget. It worked…and the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia made the journey home to my own freezer.
I just returned from vacation, which means my cabinets, pantry, and fridge are pretty much bare, save for a couple of items. Pasta. Naturally. And lo and behold…my freezer had the focaccia bread inside. I knew what dinner was going to be the next three nights. Who doesn’t love a gluten-free rotini with a marinara sauce and a slice of gluten-free focaccia? I didn’t think I’d hear any complaints!
So, after coming home from the airport and letting the focaccia bread thaw for a couple of hours, I preheated the oven to 400 degrees and began to slice the bread into serving sizes. The packages says it will serve 8, so I sliced it in half, then cut those halves in half and then halved those again. Total…8 slices of focaccia. It worked well. I put the slices on a pan and then put them in the oven to toast while I worked on the pasta and marinara. About 10 minutes later, the pasta was ready and I pulled the bread out of the oven. Plating was easy. Bowl for the pasta…focaccia over the bowl. Perfect for mopping up that marinara, yes? Yes!
Settling in to eat, I couldn’t wait to taste the bread. So, I took one bite. And WOW! Canyon Bakehouse has a great reputation for a reason. The Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia caught me off guard. I was prepared to have a taste of something heavy and dense…but the opposite was true. This focaccia bread, while not light, was flaky. The crust was golden from the oven, the inside, soft, flaky, warm, and perfect. It tasted like real bread. TOTALLY!!
Canyon Bakehouse states on their Web site that their mission is to create delicious and nutritious gluten-free breads that the entire family will enjoy. If the Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia is any indication of their standards, then watch out gluten-free world…because this product is stellar. You’d be hard-pressed to tell it was gluten-free. No crazy aftertaste, no too dense. Just really good flavors, really great texture, and just amazing bread all around.
Let’s get down to the chemistry of the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia, shall we? The ingredients are simple and recognizable: water, brown rice flour, tapioca flour, extra virgin olive oil, cultured brown rice flour, xanthan gum, eggs, sea salt, yeast, thyme, rosemary, organic agave syrup, black pepper, and natural enzymes. Nothing fake. Nothing chemical. No words I can’t pronounce. No question marks as to what I’m consuming. Real ingredients that make really delicious bread.
As for the nutritional aspect of this bread…it’s actually not bad…especially since it is gluten-free bread. A serving is 1/8 of the loaf of focaccia. This serving will provide you with 140 calories and 4 grams of fat. Much of that fat percentage is derived from the olive oil that is used in the dough. Healthy fat. A proper slice will also provide you with 15 mg cholesterol, 250 mg sodium, and 2 grams of sugar. That’s not too bad. And, finally, you will be biting into 3 grams of fiber and 3 grams of protein, so you won’t be left feeling empty after eating a slice. I find, so often, that gluten-free bread doesn’t fill me up like regular bread does. That’s not the case with this one. One slice is plenty.
I love how Canyon Bakehouse is thinking outside the box when it comes to products. With the variety of breads they offer (all of which I hope to try very soon), as well as hamburger buns, hotdog buns, and even muffins, the bakery does focus a lot on not just taste, but nutrition as well. I was beyond happy each night I had my gluten-free pasta to have a slice of the Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia. It was the perfect compliment, seasoned to perfection, toasted up, with great, flaky texture and amazing flavor.
Yeah…you’re now on my radar, Canyon Bakehouse. And I hope to find more of your products soon!
A slice of Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Rosemary & Thyme Focaccia
More and more road races are going to a lottery system for registration. The latest to announce this – The Bank of America Chicago Marathon.
I am so glad I ran this one this past year. I never have the luck of the draw when it comes to a lottery draw. I am actually surprised it has taken this long for Chicago to do a lottery system for their marathon. Regardless, I wasn’t intending to run this one this fall…but it definitely holds a special place in my heart. It always will.
It was my first marathon!
Marine Corps Marathon went to lottery as well. I thought about running this one…but I chose another instead this time around.
But it’s on the list.
If the lottery ever works in my favor.
To those hoping to get into Chicago this year…good luck!
I know what you’re thinking…pasta is pasta…it’s all about what you add to it. Right? Well…perhaps…unless you’re gluten-free.
Because then…pasta becomes an adventure in tastes and textures. For example…quinoa pasta is my new favorite thing in life. It cooks to perfect texture, phenomenal flavor, and doesn’t get mushy if you have to refrigerate it and have leftovers. Rice pasta can get gummy…it can get mushy…it is fantastic if you eat it all the day you cook it…but even then, it sometimes just falls apart. Corn pasta…well…I love the texture and the fact that it reheats beautifully, but I don’t put too much corn in my diet due to Monsanto…
Be that as it may, sometimes my roommate has surprises up her sleeve. She was out on one of my last-minute errands one evening to the grocery store (for something I’m sure I thought I had in the pantry, but really didn’t), and upon her return she came back with a box of Ronzoni Gluten-Free Rotini. Hmmm…a new gluten-free pasta I hadn’t heard of before. This wasn’t common. There are many I haven’t tried yet…but this brand I hadn’t even heard about yet. Interesting.
Ronzoni Gluten-Free Rotini is pasta made from a multigrain blend, which includes white rice, brown rice, corn and quinoa. So, it’s like everyone into the pool…let’s see what happens. The box advertises that it tastes just as delicious as white pasta. It has been forever since I have actually had white pasta…not just because of Celiac. Years before even being diagnoses with an issues, I switched to whole wheat (or the irony!) pasta. So…I address my roomie on this one…
…and her palate is messed up at times (she just had white pasta while in Disney World!) because she just said…”It tastes like pasta.” Thanks…for not being helpful to this blog at all…
To her defense, she did follow that up with, “I would not be able to tell that was gluten-free…”
So…um…WIN?!
Okay…inconclusive on the taste-test portion of this with someone who doesn’t have to eat gluten-free pasta.
Ronzoni Gluten-Free Rotini (cooked)
The fact of the matter is…Ronzoni does put out a fantastic product. I love the way the noodles cook. It takes about 9 minutes to reach that perfect al dente. No fooling around. My roommate complimented me on both nights we’ve eaten this with how I cooked the pasta perfectly. YAY! The noodles hold up to the boiling process as well as the draining. They don’t shred or fall apart when they are dumped into the marinara sauce. Nor do they fall off the fork when pierced just before taking a dainty bite…or a mouthful…depending on hunger level.
What does all this say?
1.) The roomie isn’t always the best source for comparison reasons…as her palate is sometimes flighty…
2.) This is the gluten-free pasta of champions.
3.) Multigrain = gluten-free perfection for taste, texture, and flavor.
Ronzoni really turned up the competition when they got into the gluten-free market. I like how they take a nice mix of all the gluten-free grains and incorporate them into a sturdy, satisfying noodle. They currently offer Spaghetti, Penne Rigate, and Rotini in this line. Oh, and the gluten-free pasta is produced in a dedicated gluten-free facility…and each ingredient is verified to be gluten-free. Cross-contamination is not a problem because the pasta making process is strongly controlled to maintain the gluten-free status of the produt. I love that Ronzoni took this extra step to guarantee safety for it’s gluten-free consumers.
I prepared the Ronzoni Gluten-Free Rotini for dinner the night I returned from Disney World. I have pasta and marinara in my pantry. It was a given. I thought the noodles cooked to perfection in the boiling water. I loved that when I drained them, I didn’t have bits of noodles…just full, and fully-cooked, pasta. I love that the sauce didn’t distract from the flavor of the noodles. I thought the starchiness was spot-on for a pasta. And that everything held together with each and every bite.
Nutritionally speaking, Ronzoni Gluten-Free Rotini gives you the standard 2 ounce serving size (which is about 3/4 cup). This serving gives you ample pasta which will leave you satisfied without feeling bloaty and overstuffed as so many pastas can do. This serving will provide you with 200 calories and 2 grams of fat. Not bad for a boxed pasta, I must say. In addition, this pasta is cholesterol-free, sodium-free, and sugar-free. You also get 2 grams of fiber and 4 grams of protein, which leaves you just on the right level of full.
I really am enjoying my Ronzoni Gluten-Free Rotini. So, despite not being able to compare this pasta with ‘regular’ pasta when asked, the roomie rocked and choosing a new gluten-free pasta to try out. I think this will be added to the quinoa pasta that I keep in the pantry as well. So good. Loved it all the way to that last forkful.
Spaghetti and pasta were my favorite thing growing up…and even going gluten-free…that hasn’t changed. The gluten-free market has been expanding and thankfully, getting better and better with each version out there. Forget mushy brown rice pasta…turn up the flavor and the texture. Give Ronzoni Gluten-Free Rotini a try.
I’m so glad I did.
Ronzoni Gluten-Free Rotini (with Organicville Marinara Pasta Sauce)
Tasty Bite, as many of you know, is one of my favorite go-to quick meals…especially for busy nights/days or just nights where I don’t have much in the pantry/freezer/fridge…or just don’t want to spend my entire evening on my feet in the kitchen prepping and cooking something.
The great thing about the Tasty Bite meals is that they are clean…healthy…and beyond delicious. I only have a few remaining packages in my kitchen pantry, but they were perfect after returning from my recent trip to Florida. Without last week’s check in the bank (the boss still has it), my roommate and I are honestly living off what we have in our apartment…and trust me…that means Tasty Bite meals, pancakes, eggs, or pasta. This is no joke. And for the rest of this week, the budget purse strings are being pulled tighter than ever to try to recover from our much-needed and totally fun (but expensive) vacation.
So, after disembarking at the Louisville airport on Tuesday…just before noon…we returned home with hungry stomachs. I do not do fast food. I can’t. Not with my food allergies. And I’m okay with that. I actually do not miss fast food at all. Not one bit. The drive-thru was never my friend anyway…so my dietary restrictions put a total kibosh on them. No problem. I’d rather prepare my food anyway.
That being said…with a practically empty apartment food-wise, I was happy to dig out a few pouches of Tasty Bite products. I’m down to one Indian meal and a couple of rice options. I opted for a rice option with some added protein…because I’m in recovery mode from my 48.6 mile running adventure.
My choice – Tasty Bite’s Ginger Lentil Rice.
Yes…this is exactly what it sounds like…ginger-infused long grain rice that is tossed with brown lentils and red peppers. It makes a colorful and flavorful plate…trust me. The package simply gets put in the microwave for about 90 seconds, and BAM…into a bowl and enjoy! Totally that easy. And don’t be dissuaded by the fact that this comes in a pouch on a shelf in the microwave. It still fits into clean eating. Observe the ingredients: water, rice, onions, whole brown lentils, red pepper, coconut milk, sunflower oil, ginger, garlic, salt, curry powder, chilies, sugar. Quick…Clean…Eating.
And the taste…was fantastic. Seriously. The ginger, garlic, curry, chilies all provide layers and depth of flavor to each bite. The lentils add great texture and the rice actually steams up to perfection in that 90 seconds. All the components work together and make magic with each bite. Each freakin’ tasty bite. I used some Glutino Gluten-Free Sea Salt Snack Crackers to scoop up the rice and add a nice crunch to my plate. It was a magical, quick lunch after returning from the Happiest Place on Earth. I savored each bite…chewed slowly…and just let the flavors roll over my tongue. This one is amazing. It’s not just rice. It’s rice that is so much more.
Nutritionally speaking, this meal is a healthy choice as well. One serving is half the pouch. This serving gives you 190 calories and 3.5 grams of fat. This serving will also give you 380 mg sodium and 2 grams of sugar. That is amazing for a processed food. And a serving will also give you 3 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein. So it is filling as well. Loving it.
So, if you’re concerned about Indian food…not sure you’d like it…or just not ready to try something new…then give Tasty Bite a chance through their flavored rices. In fact…I highly encourage purchasing the Ginger Lentil Rice. The flavors will wow you…and just might encourage you to give those Indian meals a try after all.
This was the inaugural year for the Walt Disney World Dopey Challenge. Prior to this, the main event was the Goofy Challenge, which involved running the Disney World Half Marathon and the Disney World Marathon (a grand total of 39.3 miles) back-to-back. But, with the addition of the brand spankin’ new 10K race on Friday…a new challenge was born.
Four races. Four Days. A total of 48.6 miles.
So…this is how it works:
Thursday – Disney Family Fun Run 5K
Friday – Disney World 10K
Saturday – Disney World Half Marathon
Sunday – Disney World Marathon
The payoff? I walk away with 6 race t-shirts and 6 finisher’s medals. Yep. Six. Because included in this package is the t-shirts and medals for the Goofy Challenge AND the Dopey Challenge.
So, not really having told many people that I was doing the Inaugural Dopey Challenge (it’s the first year…which means it will be the year it is the cheapest to run…TRUST ME!), I hopped a plane to Orlando Florida on Wednesday morning, leaving behind the frigid temps in Louisville for the warm, 66 degrees at Disney World. After a stop at the grocery store for some necessities and getting checked into my resort (staying at Port Orleans Riverside…again!), Cathy and I boarded the shuttle bus to the ESPN Wild World of Sports where the race expo was being held. It was a hike to get there and we couldn’t find the way to get down to the packet pick-up level…until it was mentioned that there were stairs hidden behind the photo booth. Well…that makes sense, right?! I went and retrieved my packet for the Dopey Challenge, and was told my green bib is for me to wear during the 5K and 10K races. And the gray bib is for me to wear for the Half Marathon and Marathon races. I went to retrieve the commemorative pin I had pre-ordered and then hurried off to get my t-shirts. I got five of them at this part of the expo, but had to go somewhere else to retrieve the 5K one. In fact, the better part of the expo was where the 5K t-shirt pickup was happening. I didn’t have much time to linger, but hit up the Official Merchandise booth…snagging all the pins for each race. Cathy surprised me with a new BondiBand, a lanyard, and a decal for my car. WOOOOOO!!
We had reservations at Sanaa for dinner, so we couldn’t linger, but said after we ate we would return to the expo to do some shopping. My dinner was awesome…loving some Indian food as always. Then…back to the expo we went. I purchased some goodies…like more KT Tape…and had them tape up my Achilles. Hope that it lasts through these races. Cathy paid close attention to the technique and took pictures so we can probably replicate it if needed. This is the best my Achilles has felt though…so here’s hoping. Going to be interesting to see what happens at the 5K tomorrow morning.
After some browsing, shopping, and some talking me out of purchases, we headed back to the shuttles to return to the resort. The 5K race kicks off at 6:15 a.m. on Thursday morning and is the only one that won’t require a 2 a.m. wake-up. I will definitely enjoy that. Read on…for race reports on each of the 4 races in 4 days.
Me after finishing the Disney Family Fun 5K
Disney Family Fun Run 5K
Race: Disney Family Fun Run 5K
Place: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Date: January 9, 2014
Time:24:15
This was not a fast 5K. This was nowhere near a fast 5K. With about 10,000 people running in it, speed was hindered by sheer volume. Masses of people were everywhere…and I was in Corral A. So…take that for what it’s worth. Huge field. Lots of places where you were basically bottle-necked by other participants. Expected.
But still a good time.
And let me tell you…it did my heart good to get out on the road again. Race. Breathe. Struggle. Feel. It was therapy after having taken 3 long weeks off from running, save for 2 deliberate runs…one on Saturday and one on Tuesday before coming to Florida.
The Achilles was a little tender in the morning. I was taped up…but stiff. So, that was a bit disheartening, but with the 3:30 a.m. wake up alarm, I was out of bed and getting into costume bright and early. I was dressing as a Minion. Yes…I realize that Despicable Me is NOT a Disney movie…but…I had to be a Minion. It had to happen. And it did. And, despite the humidity and 56 degree temperature that morning, I even wore the knit cap as part of my costume. I knew I’d regret those long sleeves and the hat, but…it’s Disney…and I must run in costume.
I was up and dressed and then had to get Cathy up and moving. Our breakfast was a Greek yogurt…we took bananas to go. Once she was dressed, we headed out to catch the shuttle bus to take us to the race start. I was going to meet up with my friend Andrea. Soon after arriving, we went to the reunion area…where I had a few people ask to have pictures with me. Who doesn’t love a Minion? And then it started to rain a little. A sprinkling…but rain nonetheless.
Andrea texted and soon Cathy and I were heading over to where she was hanging out with her husband. We relaxed pre-race by chatting and talking about pretty much everything. Andrea had some other friends that were on their way to join us. And soon after…Cathy was wishing me luck and we were being ushered into our corrals.
The corrals were filled…and we all noted most of the runners were doing the Dopey…very few just had on 5K race bibs. There were some…but not many. We were soon after being let out of our corral to walk to the starting area. I heard Cathy’s sign for me get called out…which was awesome! After the National Anthem, the wheelchair racers were sent off. And a few moments later…the rest of us.
Totally caught up in the moment, I was out of the starting gate and running behind a large group of people. They held my beginning speed really in check, which, with this injury I’m nursing, was probably a good thing. But the further I ran, the better my Achilles felt. So, I bobbed and weaved my way through the crowd as much as humanly possible. It was no easy task, especially at the water stops. This race is run through Epcot. With the sprinkling rain, we were warned that some areas on the course might be slick. They weren’t kidding, but I managed to navigate them well enough.
I was frustrated with the crowds, but it’s a Disney race…that’s to be expected. I pushed on, rocking out all sub-8 miles…not bad for someone dealing with Achilles tendonitis. And it had been forever since I truly have been able to run sub-8…as this body does not react well to cold weather. At all. It tightens up and slows down. Give me heat any day.
Running in the shadow of Epcot was awesome! We dashed through Future World and then through the International Showcase. A lot of employees were out to cheer us on…and some to direct us on the right path toward the finish. I loved running past the giant Epcot ball and toward that finish line. I love seeing that finish at Disney races. There is something so thrilling about it.
I crossed it, still feeling good without much pain. Cathy saw me and started down. She went to toss me a water bottle, but I told her I wouldn’t be able to catch it. A very nice guy came over to catch it for me. He was awesome. I went around the corner where I was handed more water…a snack pack…and my Finisher’s Medal. As part of the Dopey Challenge, I had to get in a line to get a bracelet saying that I completed the 5K race. After that…I was out and meeting up with Cathy.
We had some plans for Hollywood Studios that day, so after returning to our resort, I showered, dressed, and we headed out for breakfast at Babycakes NYC in Downtown Disney and then some rides and shows at Hollywood Studios. Of course, I am totally feeling that run now in my Achilles. I’m hoping that the pain goes away over night. I’m still KT Taped and I just had Cathy tape up my feet…just for some extra help. Here’s hoping.
Tomorrow morning…another early morning…another race. This time…the Disney World 10K.
Me after finishing the Inaugural Disney World 10K
Disney World 10K
Race: Disney World 10K
Place: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Date: January 10, 2014
Time: 50:30
It wasn’t fast. It wasn’t pretty. In fact…it was hot and humid and just plain gross! Welcome to Orlando, Florida in January, folks.
And welcome to the Inaugural Disney World 10K. This is the very first year the 10K has been a part of this race weekend. Exciting to be part of the first group who runs it. Honestly. I think it’s awesome.
The morning started very early with my 3 a.m. alarm. I got up so that I could get into costume and get ready before today’s insanity spiraled out of control. I love to have a firm grip of my morning on race days. Cathy was up 15 minutes after me and we both enjoyed some Greek yogurt and water before gathering up our stuff to head out to the shuttle which would take us back to the starting area.
The ground was soaking wet. Soaking wet. Mostly because with the humidity, none of the water from the previous day of pouring rain really dried up. Puddles and wetness. Fun, fun.
This was the 10K and I was dressed up as Eeyore…complete with ears and tail. HA! Like I said…when I run Disney, I gotta dress up. At least I was a Disney character this time. Hahaha! Anyway, we got through the security check and instead of heading over to where they do bag check, Cathy and I immediately headed in to the starting area. We were meeting up with Andrea, Aaron, and Silvia again for pre-race shenanigans and the like. I remembered to stretch more today. Probably should have done more than I ended up doing…but at least I stretched. And I ate my prerequisite before-the-race banana.
We took a few photos together and then were being ushered into our corrals. We were all in A…so that worked out nicely. And we also knew that the further back in the corral you were, the closer to the front you ended up being. But, we stuck around where we were yesterday and just followed the crowd. The wheelchair racers were being sent off at 5:30 and Corral A was 2 minutes after that.
Exciting. Because after the National Anthem, we were pretty much ready to run. I told myself to take this one easy…and I vowed to do just that. When the fireworks were set off and we began moving to the start line, I kept telling myself to take it easy. After all, I still had 39.3 miles to run in the next two days. So, I kept to my promise and found a comfortable pace to start. Immediately after turning out of the park, we were put on this long and dull stretch of highway. Mile 1 was marked and then we took a sharp right turn and got sent up a hill. I think spinning and strength training are helping me hone in on my hill work. Because it didn’t slow me down at all. Perhaps I’m also just used to steeper hills. HAHA! That could be it. Miles 2 through 3 were marked by the highway…nothing to really distract you. There were a couple of character shots along the way…but not many. After hitting the halfway point…the fun started.
EPCOT! Again…but slightly different. This time, we took a longer loop through the World Showcase. It was beautifully lit up. And, dammit, if I didn’t enter Epcot and immediately hear the Tiki Room song. That song is worse than It’s A Small World. Trust me! But, off we were. I took in water at Mile 4 from the water station, because it was so humid and I didn’t want to get dehydrated. From a girl who ran a half marathon in this sort of weather…best to not press your luck. Over the boardwalks, over bridges, through the World Showcase…it was so much fun. The employees and members of the Cheer Squad were out to give support and guide us on the correct path.
As we came out of one of the back lots and towards the ball (which in the 10K you don’t run around), we were informed that we were close to the end. Sure enough…that finish line was around the corner and down a stretch of pavement. The sidelines were filled with people cheering. The DJs were announcing people. MarathonPhoto was out in hoards getting those finish line shots.
I crossed. Not happy with my time…but knowing that taking it easy due to injury…as well as having two very long races back-to-back in the next couple days…well…that was good. Honestly, I’m just happy to be out there. I’m loving it.
Of course, I am currently showered, sitting in my hotel room with a bag of ice on my Achilles. It’s feeling it today. Heading out to Animal Kingdom in a few. It’s going to be a fun…relaxing day.
Two down…two to go!
Join us for the inaugural Walt Disney World® 10K. This 6.2 mile course is the perfect distance for runners of all skill levels. Winding throughout Epcot® and the scenic World Showcase, it is the newest way to be part of the Walt Disney World® Marathon Weekend.
Me after finishing the Disney World Half Marathon
Disney World Half Marathon
Race: Disney World Half Marathon
Place: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Date: January 11, 2014
Time: 1:51:43
UGH! UGH!! First of all, after spending all day at Animal Kingdom and Hollywood Studios yesterday, my legs were feeling it this morning. I was already intending to take this one easy. So, that was okay. No problem. I had two alarms set this morning. One for 2 a.m. Then one for an hour later. That would give me ample time to get ready and then get Cathy up so we could get going. Not sure of when the sun would officially be up, I slathered on some sunscreen. Didn’t need it. I was done before the sun was up, but we were running through 99% humidity. So it was beyond gross!!
I dressed as Wonder Woman for this race…and kept it to just the bra top out of fear of having too much clothing on in this humidity. It was a wise chose, as I found out later. So, looking all adorable as Wonder Woman…it was time to get my third race in as many days on.
We made the walk from our room to the shuttle that would take us over to the race…as usual. I was expecting the bus to be cold, but for the first time…it wasn’t. I was shocked. Anyway, we arrived and I headed over to where I was supposed meet up with Andrea and Aaron again. They weren’t there yet, so I texted to find out where they were. Turns out they were stuck in traffic. My corral was already being called to get people inside…which felt early to me, but I keep forgetting that Disney World literally sends you on a hike to your corrals, especially those beginning letters in the alphabet. For the Disney World Half Marathon and Disney World Marathon, I’m in Corral B.
I ate my banana on the way to the corral and made it there with 15 minutes to spare. Ironically, this guy we kept seeing in the recovery area wearing only a speedo…was next to me in the corral. In only his red speedo. I hope he has a lot of red speedos, I’m just saying. They did their usual interviews. Not any celebs that I’ve heard of this time. Jeff Galloway was up there talking. The National Anthem was sung. And then Donald (this race’s character) came out to count off the wheelchair racers. But he brought along Mickey and Goofy too. The wheelchair racers were off just after 5:30 a.m. Then, 2 minutes later…Corral A was sent off. As my corral was moved up toward the start, “It’s A Small World” started to play on the speaker. The announcer said, “Congratulations, Corral B. You get ‘It’s A Small World’ stuck in your head for the next 13.1 miles.” It made me laugh. 2 minutes after Corral A had left, Donald gave us a “Ready…Set…GO!” Fireworks. We were off.
I knew this was going to be a tough one. First of all, I’m injured. Still. Secondly…I ran a 5K and a 10K the two days prior to this one. Thirdly…I was tired. These 3:00 a.m. mornings SUCK! And this was my third morning in a row with one. So, I chose to set an easy pace and try to stick with it.
The problem was that humidity. It was like back when I ran the Indy Women’s Half Marathon and practically died afterwards due to the high humidity. Like breathing through a wet towel. That’s what this felt like. Just like the Indianapolis race, I was already drenched with sweat before I hit that first mile. And that is not a good feeling. I wanted to take this one easier than usual anyway, so I didn’t push it. Not here to PR…just here for some fun and to finish all four races.
That being said, this course was the exact replica of the Disney Princess Half Marathon, which I ran last February. I knew that the first four miles were nothing but highway. And, save for the characters and some entertainment…can make for some rather boring miles. Thankfully, Disney is good about putting people out there to cheer, characters to break of the monotony, and music too. As you come into Mile 4, you enter Magic Kingdom. The most exciting part is just before Mile 6, when you run through Cinderella’s Castle. This is, by far, my favorite part of any Disney race. Send me through that castle. I was smiling the entire time.
After exiting Magic Kingdom, it was back out onto the highway. Ugh. I took in some GU and water, and was making a point now of using the water at water stops both for sipping and for pouring over my head. That felt amazing and definitely helped keep my body temperature down. Around the midway point, the speaker system was blaring this weekend’s theme song, “Let It Go” from Frozen. The highway, complete with characters and water stops was my path from the 10K mark to just around Mile 12. There were a couple of hills there at the end. I think the last half of the half marathon is far more difficult than the beginning. In fact, just before hitting Mile 12, you’re sent up a ramp and over a bridge that is over the highway. When you come down the other side, you’re at Mile 12 and about to enter Epcot.
I was happy to hit that mark and just decided to take it easy and cruise into the finish line. Epcot sends us in to run around the ball, make a turn, and come back on the other side of the ball. You round a corner, and that finish line comes into view. I was so happy to cross that finish line. But, I didn’t push too much. In fact, I was flexing some muscle at photographers, LOL! Leave it to me getting into Wonder Woman mode.
After crossing the finish line, I was handed my medal. Cathy spotted me up in the crowd and was cheering from the stands. She headed down and I walked through to get my bracelet showing that I completed the half marathon in my quest for the Dopey Challenge. Once I had that bracelet on, I was through to get photos taken with the backdrop, get a snack pack, then head out through bag check. Cathy was waiting for me on the other side. I told her I was gross but to come give me a hug. She brought a towel and managed to get the sweat off me for the time.
I wanted my finisher’s photo taken with the Disney Half Marathon backdrop. And Pluto just happened to be there. So…I had the chance to give Pluto a hug and pose with him. It was awesome.
Afterwards, we headed over to our shuttle. Cathy had me put my feet up so she could get working on my Achilles, to hopefully keep it from aching too much. We got back to the resort, back to the room, where I showered. We ate breakfast and got ready to head out to Epcot for the day. Then back over to Hollywood Studios for dinner…at Mama Melrose’s again. This time for pasta. I had a gluten-free pasta dish that was huge. In fact…I maybe was able to eat 1/3 of it. Because I just didn’t want to stuff myself full before a race.
I’m icing my Achilles at the moment, relaxing, and prepping for some foam rolling. Then, just getting some last minute things together for the early wake-up call that awaits.
One more.
I have a feeling it won’t be pretty. I get to meet the characters tomorrow!
Me after finishing the Disney World Marathon, and in doing so, completing the Goofy Challenge and the Dopey Challenge
Disney World Marathon
Race: Disney World Marathon
Place: Walt Disney World, Orlando, Florida
Date: January 12, 2014
Time: 4:00:04
I went into this race with no expectations for speed. There was no way my legs were going to be up to any record setting. So, my entire plan for this marathon was to fall into an easy pace, take some pictures with the characters, and just have some fun. And that’s what I did.
Which was a good plan because my morning was a little more stressful than intended. The problem wasn’t so much in the getting ready part. Nope. Getting into my Snow White costume (made for me by my co-worker Andrea at the very last minute…and she did an awesome job!) was easy. Sunscreen. Easy. Prepping for the weather (humidity way down and actually a bit cool)…easy. Getting to the shuttle. Easy. Getting to the race…not as easy. In fact, I barely got to the corrals in time for the start. Seriously. The traffic was awful heading to the start area. And it was just a mess. So, when I got there, it was just in time to be told that I had 30 minutes to the start of the race and a 20 minute walk to the starting line. I quickly jammed the banana I brought with me down my throat, got a good luck hug from Cathy and headed toward the corrals.
But, I got there…just in time for the moment of silence, the national anthem, and have Mickey, Goofy and Donald come up on stage. Dopey even made an appearance…for obvious reasons. Mickey counted down the wheelchair racers and they were sent off with fireworks. Corral A was next, about 2 minutes later. Then my corral, Corral B, was sent off 2 minutes after that.
This race made me realize that I have some pretty amazing and really loud friends. Despite being across the highway, I could hear Cathy screaming at me as I started off on the highway toward Magic Kingdom. It made me smile. I gave her a wave. It reminded me of Heather at Chicago. Hahaha!! My friends are made of awesome.
Miles 1-4 are, as in my previous Disney World half marathons, spent out on the highway. Cathy went to catch the monorail to try to see me at Mile 4, but I apparently beat her there. So…whoops. She decided to try again at Magic Kingdom…but I had beat her there too. Oh well. Out of that…she did get to see the awesomeness that is the crowd at Magic Kingdom. It’s why that is my favorite part of any Disney race. Hands down. Miles 4-5 are spent in the Magic Kingdom…where crowds and Disney cast members are out to cheer you on. Just before Mile 6, as before, is the run through Cinderella’s Castle. It is the part I always look forward to on these runs.
After exiting the castle, it’s a short dash out of the Magic Kingdom and back out onto the road. I kept to my plan to keep it easy and meet some characters. Along the way, I made some stops for some classics and favorites. The next 6 miles were all highway miles…so the characters helped break that up. Our next stop…Animal Kingdom.
Normally, around Mile 12, I would be taking in a GU…but we were entering Animal Kingdom, so I didn’t want to tear into a GU packet when they are so strict about what is in their park due to the animals. So, I waited until I exited Animal Kingdom to do that. This was the smallest amount of time spent in a park. Less than a mile. But the employees were so awesome…and as we entered some had the animals out on the corner to welcome us.
After Animal Kingdom, we hit the highway roads again for 4 miles…taking us to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. I loved running through here. Just before entering the motor speedway (going down and then up very steep inclines), the very last lady at a water stop was handing out cold, wet towels. I told her she was my favorite person of the moment, and took one to wring over my head. The weather was cooler…but the sun was up. So…it felt amazing. Ran the complex to the track…made a circuit…then back on out to head back toward the highway. Next stop…Hollywood Studios.
Park 3 of 4 shows up just before Mile 23. Again, you’re not in this park for long, but I was loving running through there. I have spent a lot of time in Hollywood Studios this time around. So, this felt like home. As I was exiting the park, however, I noticed Dopey…and of course needed to get my picture taken with him. Turned around and hurried back to do just that. I mean…come on! I was dressed as Snow White doing the Dopey Challenge. It was a must!
From there, it was on the boardwalk of the Beach Club Resort and Yacht Club Resort…which took us to Epcot. The finish was a mile away, but there were characters that caught my attention. Including Belle. I met Belle the previous day, but now I was dressed up as Snow White, at the request of my niece Kaytlynn, whose favorite Disney princess is…Belle. This had to happen. Unplanned photos that were totally worth it.
The entire race, I was getting a lot of “GO SNOW! GO SNOW WHITE! GO PRINCESS!” The spectators at Disney races are awesome…when you have them. But for long stretches you don’t. That’s why they have a great set of volunteers who fill in those gaps. Disney has their act together and really knows how to put on a race.
This was not a fast race, nor was it a pretty race. Running 4 races in 4 days was a nice challenge, but made extra difficult due to my Achilles tendonitis. That, in and of itself, took me out of training for this series…so I just had to take it easy on all of the races…and run them on a wing and a prayer. My goals were to finish and to do so without doing damage to myself. I did both.
Anyway…back to the marathon…
But…at Mile 26, the gospel choir was singing and I made the turn to take me to the homestretch to the finish line. I crossed the line, in 4:00:04, which was amazing, considering I made character stops, walked some water stops, and ran this with an injury that crippled my training and involved more KT Tape than I care to admit to even make it possible for me to run. I received 3 medals today – one for completing the Disney World Marathon, one for the Goofy Challenge, and one for the Dopey Challenge. WOOHOO! CHA-BLING!
Dopey was an expensive adventure, but one that I enjoyed. I’m just thankful I get to sleep in past 3 a.m. tomorrow.
I’m ready for another adventure, Disney. Give it to me.
My medals from the Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend – (r – l) – Disney Family Fun Run 5k, Disney World Inaugural 10K, Disney World Half marathon, Disney World Marathon, Goofy Challenge, Inaugural Dopey Challenge
Product: Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites – $5.69+
Sometimes, when I get my roommate a little tipsy and then take her grocery shopping, I get to purchase some of the products I’ve practically salivated over trying since I spotted them, but get told “next week” by the roommate and then “next week” turns into never. Song and dance of my life since having to change my diet over two years ago.
So…when I mix in a little alcohol and a twist of grocery shopping, sometimes I can worm a few products into the cart that normally wouldn’t be allowed due to the tight food budget. Ah…I miss drunken grocery shopping.
However, on one such occasion when it happened…I managed to get my roommate to agree to the purchase of Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites. They intrigued me. They looked…interesting, sounded phenomenal, and weren’t too difficult to prepare. So, at first glance in the freezer section, they were a win with me. I kept pointing them out to my roommate on each venture to the grocery store…but the hint never sunk in. The “next week” line was given. Or…the budget was waved in front of my nose.
*sigh*
But…suddenly…she her grocery shopping tyrant barriers were down…and I had one shot. And…persistence and patience paid off. For sure. Because these little treats were in the basket, rung up at the register, and in my freezer before she could sober up.
According to Hilary’s Eat Well Web site, the company is dedicating to making delicious, convenient, and amazing food that is always gluten-free, dairy-free, corn-free, egg-free, soy-free, yeast-free, and nut-free. The company is best known for their original product, The World’s Best Veggie Burger, which debuted at owner Hilary Brown’s restaurant, Local Burger, in Lawrence, Kansas. With customer demand so high, Hilary’s Eat Well was developed so that she could bring her culinary creations to people who want to live healthy and sustainable lives, but still eat food that is easy to prepare at home and tastes great. The rest of the products that have been created since…must live up to these expectations.
So, why the Original Veggie Bites? What was it that made me glance at them on more than one occasion? They just sounded…interesting. Different. And, yes…all the “free from” on the packaging was also a draw. I love being able to tell if I can safely eat something quickly without having to pull it out of the freezer or off the shelf. So, that helped.
As I am prepping for a journey out of town, my CSA bin goodies have all been used up, I’m trying to keep the clean eating vibe going. These definitely, while processed, fit that bill. And they were easy enough to make, allowing for a stress-free dinner tonight. My roommate and I just split the bag between the two of us.
Cooking them is super easy. The packaging gives two options: oven and skillet. I love to bake things up in my oven, so I chose that option instead of pulling out a frying pan and oil. Besides, given the option, I always bake rather than fry. So, I set the oven for 400°F and put the Original Veggie Bites on a baking sheet. Then, into the oven they went, for 20 minutes. I flipped them over halfway through the baking process. I will say…they smelled phenomenal as they cooked up. And when they were done, I let them stand for 2 minutes, then served them up with some steamed broccoli. Healthy dinner, yes?
Of course…because Hilary’s Eat Well Original Veggie Bites are made from real ingredients. Seriously. In fact, the packaging lists water, organic millet, organic quinoa, organic expeller-pressed coconut oil, organic spinach, organic onion, organic garlic, organic psyllium husk powder, organic arrowroot, organic sweet potato, real salt, and organic apple cider vinegar. See…real…organic…ingredients.
And a serving…get this…is 2 of the Original Veggie Bites. My roommate and I each had 8 bites each. These 2 Original Veggie Bites serve up only 40 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. These tasty bites are cholesterol free and a serving only has 140 mg of sodium. Love that low sodium! In addition, a serving will also give you 1 gram of fiber and 1 gram of protein. So, probably not the most filling thing you can eat…but I’m still full and I ate 2 hours ago.
But…how do they taste? Hmm? Well…they taste like really amazing tater tots. The texture is even very similar to tater tots. You can really taste the quinoa and the veggies. I loved how they crisped up on the outside, getting that nice golden crust, and then were soft and savory in the middle. These were one of the most amazing things I have eaten from the grocer’s freezer in a long time. And it really makes me excited to try the veggie burger mentioned above in the very near future. These are honestly fantastic. I think they may always be kept in stock in my freezer. I love an easy meal. And one that is good for you too.
I was beyond impressed with my first taste of a product from Hilary’s Eat Well. I have only heard good things about this company and look forward (and even anticipate) my next purchase of one of these delicious products. Honestly, if you find them in your freezer…purchase them immediately and enjoy them for yourself.
The weather is getting colder. In fact, tomorrow, here, it isn’t even supposed to crack 0°F. No joke. That’s not common around here, not as of late anyway…but that is so freakin’ cold. And that makes me an unhappy girl. Trust me. I. HATE. COLD. WEATHER.
But with the cold weather comes those warm, hearty meals that fill you up and leave you feeling nice and cozy from the inside out. This includes a vast array of foods, but for me…it’s soups and casseroles…
…and macaroni and cheese.
Yes. Simple. Straightforward. Macaroni and Cheese.
But no ordinary macaroni and cheese will do. I do eat the kinds out of the box…but they are just for those quick meals I need to eat before rushing off somewhere in my hectic and busy schedule I keep. But on these days where I’m hibernating…or simply have some time on my hands…I will always choose a good old-fashioned homemade macaroni and cheese.
Here’s the thing though…I make a damn, damn, damn good gluten-free macaroni and cheese. My roommate will ask for it every now and again and beg and plead for me to make it. And, naturally, I will. It’s my mom’s recipe, which I have tweaked only slightly to fit into my dietary restrictions and to spice it up some. I love my homemade mac and cheese and I do love making it. But shredding the cheese and making the white sauce…it all takes a lot of time. Even if I have it…I sometimes can think of 100 other things I need to be doing.
Lucky me! Yes…once again…lucky me. Lucky me for having Annie May’s Sweet Café practically in my own backyard. Sure, this little bakery offers cupcakes and brownies and cookies and cakes and…all those other delictible naughty treats. But…sometimes…you get take-n-bake specials. I have previously blogged on Annie May’s Take-N-Bake Cinnamon Rolls and have tried (but obviously forgot to blog about…and will remedy that immediately) the Take-N-Bake Crescent Rolls. The take-n-bake options at Annie May’s Sweet Café make all those foods you crave that much easier to make yourself.
And she recently added Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese to that list.
Pardon me while I do the happiest little dance of joy.
Of course…I had to try it. I absolutely had to. I mean…I was heading home soon after dining there on Saturday morning for breakfast so…it only seemed logical, despite not really being in the budget, to give it a go. I was getting breakfast treats to go for Sunday…why not add dinner to the mix too. Just make Sunday (a busy day with everything needing to be done before Monday strikes) that much easier to slog through.
I was beyond excited the day I pulled this out of my refrigerator, preheating my oven to 375°F, per the instructions on the container. It looked so amazing and that was before I even popped it in the oven to bake. Go figure. Once the oven heated, I removed the plastic wrap and set the tray inside for about 20 minutes…the gluten-free breadcrumbs on top were golden and the cheese around the edge was bubbling. Oh yeah…done. And it looked and smelled so good.
Once again, Annie May’s Sweet Café really delivers. One bite and I looked over at my roommate, who was also enjoying half of this tray, and I said, “I think this is better than mine! And I make really good mac and cheese!” What makes it so amazing? Hell if I know. I don’t know what magic Annie May’s puts into their products, but this macaroni and cheese baked up creamy and cheesy, with that nice toasted crunch from the breadcrumbs. It was fantastic. So comforting to the soul, spirit, and body. I had wished I had bought them out of the trays they had. And I intended to do that this past weekend…but they only had one tray left by the time I got there so…I luckily snagged it before anyone else could. I think it might have been a near thing. Anyway…creamy, dreamy goodness in one simple dish.
I mean, right on the label, Annie May’s lays it all out as far as the ingredients: Brown rice flour, water, whole milk, cheddar cheese, and butter.
This is, in no way, a light meal. It’s hearty, it’s warm, it’s filling…but it makes you feel good as you eat it. And in the end, the food you eat should make you feel good.
I can’t say enough good things about Annie May’s Sweet Café in Louisville, Kentucky. They keep expanding their menu…which is soon to include bagels (and I can’t WAIT for that to happen)…and I have enjoyed being able to try these new additions as they are placed in the case. Yes…we, the food-allergic and even the non-food-allergic of Louisville, Kentucky have one really sweet place on Frankfort Avenue…which I make a point to visit often. It’s that good. The people are amazing. The food continues to get better and better.
No one would even guess it was gluten-free.
Comfort yourself on these cold winter nights with a little bit of gluten-free comfort food. Go to Annie May’s…and get the macaroni and cheese. You can thank me later.
And trust me…you will.
Annie May’s Sweet Café Gluten-Free Macaroni and Cheese (baked)
First run of the year…slow and steady…with minimal pain
Achilles Tendonitis.
You plague me. You discourage me. You dishearten me. And you cause me pain.
BUT…I am on the verge of feeling better. I’m doing so much cross-training these days to keep any unnecessary pressure off my tendon. So, spinning has been a lot of fun to get into. And it is teaching me to dig deep when I think I’m spent. It makes the stationary bike (something I loathe) fun and enjoyable. And the music is amazing. I’ve been swimming more too. Which was something I have been wanting to do more of anyway. So, this gave me a push to get into the pool and work on that stroke. I need to keep this trend up. Loving that water…once I get acclimated to it. And…strength training. I had started doing it before, then stopped, but I’m back to it. And have a great 30 minute workout that I do with weights and other workout equipment that is helping me build a stronger core.
All that being said…it’s been over 2 weeks since I last ran. And the ankle/Achilles is feeling much better. Some tightness still, but nothing debilitating. So…on this frigid morning, I met up with my running group and decided to test it out. Most of the runners were aiming for 8 miles or more. I didn’t want to push it, and thankfully my friends Harry and Natalie were more than happy to do an easier and more deliberate 5 miles. The cold weather is not helping my tendon feel any better. Everything is just tight. UGH! Cold weather and I do not get along. It slows me down…always. I run so much better in the heat. Let me sweat it out!
It was a good run this morning. I had a great time with these two while we were running. And after a mile or so, I forgot about how cold it was…up until we hit some pretty wicked headwinds. It didn’t matter. We were just enjoying the run. And it felt so good to get back out there and hit the pavement.
All that being said…my ankle/Achilles twinged at me a couple times, but it didn’t flat-out hurt. So, that is a good sign. I have been icing it on and off today…which is helping and I’m about to go do some stretches and get all the kinks worked out.
But…wow…I totally needed that run today. More than I even knew!
I live just outside of Louisville, Kentucky. One short drive over a bridge and I am in the city. I can see Louisville from my apartment. I’m that close. But it’s not the city itself that makes me feel lucky. It’s the gem that sits at the heart of it.
Recently, Louisville has really come onto the foodie scene. With chefs showing up on television shows, the restaurant scene exploding (especially over in NULU), and features in food magazines like Food & Wine, Louisville really has something to offer for everyone.
Yes. Everyone.
Including me – a gluten-free vegetarian.
The place – Annie May’s Sweet Café, located at 3110 Frankfort Avenue. It’s a short little journey there…and one that I make weekly…if I’m in town. I don’t miss any opportunity to support this business and the people who make this genuinely good food. And trust me…you don’t need to have a food allergy to enjoy the products that they put in their case and offer Tuesday – Saturday.
Really, trust me. My roomie eats there every week with me. I’ve taken my running friends Natalie and Harry there. I’ve taken my sister there. I’ve taken my friend Greg there…and he is hooked on her Allergen-Free Double Chocolate Brownies. Trust me…he always buys at least two when he’s in town. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to tell her food was gluten-free or dairy-free it wasn’t advertised. Seriously. Good eats. All around.
But today, I am not just going to talk to you about the business. Today…I want to talk to you about one of the mixes that is available for purchase from Annie May’s.
I’m talking about Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix.
Yes. More pancakes. The world would be a better place if more pancakes were consumed. But…they must be good pancakes. I’ve eaten a lot of different pancakes since going gluten-free. Frozen, from mixes, from restaurants. And this mix really does cook up some fantastic pancakes. I actually utilized the mix two ways to be honest. I did my first four pancakes just plain…made as the bag instructed me to make them. But for the second batch…I added Enjoy Life Mini Chocolate Chips…and made chocolate chip pancakes for the following day. The mix is so easy to make and it has a great texture. I just had a good feeling when I put it all together in my mixing bowl and then scooped up the 1/4 cup to set on the skillet.
The pancakes cooked to perfection. No joke. Golden and crusty on the outside. They were a thing of beauty. In fact, I might have let out a little squee of glee and did a little hop-dance of joy in the kitchen after I flipped the first one. Because it was gorgeous. A stunning and perfect pancakes. I only had to be sure not to burn them. And…I didn’t. I totally rocked these out and they fluffed up and got all soft and hot in the middle. I am drooling just writing about them. Then, after serving them up with real maple syrup…I devoured. And as I was savoring and scarfing all at the same time…I got the chocolate chip version cooking.
Once again…perfection. I tucked these into a container and put them in the fridge. I had a spinning class to take on Friday morning, so I figured when I got back from that, I could pop these bad boys in the microwave, nuke them to reheated perfection, and serve them up with that maple syrupy goodness. I was so pleased with how well these reheated. Honestly. So many times you just get a soggy, mushy mess. While these don’t get that golden crust they have fresh off the skillet, they don’t wilt and fall apart after a day in the fridge either. They reheated really well and maintained the integrity of the previously consumed pancakes…still so delicious…down to the last bite.
I have two pancakes left. Can you guess what I’m eating Sunday morning? HA! I can’t eat them tomorrow…I’m going to Annie May’s Sweet Café for their amazing breakfast menu. Might even splurge and get a few extras. Because…I can. And I want to. And so…I will.
Don’t be disheartened if you don’t live in or near Louisville, Kentucky. Annie May’s Sweet Café ships! Yes…they ship. Just go to this page and place an order. Trust me…you will not be disappointed. And, yes…the Allergen-Free Pancake and Waffle Mix is available for order. So…don’t think. Just do. DO IT!
And…I still count myself as one very lucky lady to live near a place that has a restaurant that I feel totally and completely at ease in. I know I can get good food there…and I will continue to bring my friends and family there. So far, no one has been disappointed.
And to Annie May, Kenna, and the staff…keep up the good work. See you tomorrow morning!
Perfect pancakes made from Annie May’s Sweet Café Allergen Free Pancake and Waffle Mix
Let me give a big shout-out to Tastefully Simple consultant and a friend of mine from high school, Rebecca Fifield! It is because of her that I have these products in the first place. You see…back when I was in high school, I wasn’t gluten-free. In fact…I don’t think anyone in my hometown even knew what a Celiac was.
It turns out that there is magic in the Interwebs…and thanks to the magic of social media…you reconnect with people. That’s how Rebecca and I got back into touch. And she, knowing I am Celiac and having to eat gluten-free now, sent me packets of Tastefully Simple’s new gluten-free line-up of mixes.
Well…it’s the New Year. January 1st. And my roommate and I have set a few goals for this coming year. And we are wasting no time getting settled into the new routine. That being said, tonight I was simply cooking up some black eyed peas with some kale for dinner. I know that doesn’t sound gourmet, but some believe that eating black eyed peas on New Years Day will bring prosperity. I’m all for that. The recipe mentioned something about serving the meal with cornbread. I don’t have cornbread and I didn’t have enough cornmeal in my pantry to rock out a batch of it from scratch.
That being said…I remembered I had these mixes ready for me to try. So, I climbed up to the top shelf of my pantry and began to pull each one up until I found the one I was seeking.
Gluten-Free Beer Bread.
Yes. Gluten-Free Beer Bread. And…I just so happen to have gluten-free beer on hand. I’m not a beer drinker, mind you, but I make a killer queso with it…so I tend to have it in the house in case. So glad I did…because I was more than excited to get this bread cooking.
And guess what? Tastfully Simple really is simple!! This mix is super easy to put together. I got down one 9 x 5 bread pan and buttered the inside. Then, all I had to do was add to a large bowl…the mix, the gluten-free beer (or you can use soda), and 1 egg. There is an option to add 3 tablespoons of melted butter…which I decided to do.
That’s it. Whisk it together. Pour it in the pan. Drizzle the melted butter over the top (if you’re using it…but I highly recommend it). Set it in a 350°F oven for about 50 minutes…and you have yourself a beautiful loaf of gluten-free beer bread.
YES! It really is that easy!
Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread
What’s more…I was drooling as this was baking in my oven. My apartment smelled (and still does) so amazing. Fresh-baked bread is one of my favorite smells…but this aroma was beyond fantastic. I resisted the urge to open the oven and sneak a peak the instant I started to smell it. That being said…I allowed it to cook for a full 50 minutes, preparing the rest of dinner as it was finishing up. And when my timer went off, I pulled a gorgeous, golden-crusted loaf of gluten-free bread out of my oven. I turned it out of the pan…and it was perfect.
I let it cool slightly as I finished up the last of the black eyed peas and kale we were having for dinner. I knew the bread needed to cool a bit more…but I was ready to dive in. So, I sliced off two slices…one for me and on for my roommate. It sliced beautifully, still steaming in the middle. Fresh. Hot. Gluten-Free. Bread.
Well, we settled in for our New Years Day feast and I immediately had to sink my teeth into the beer bread.
OH MY BREAD GODS! No…this is, by far, one of the best gluten-free breads I have ever made in my kitchen. The mix forms into this light, not dense, loaf of bread. I think the carbonation from the beer helps with this. The flavor is buttery, and light, and totally amazing. The texture is perfect. Not dense. Not heavy. And it’s soft…and the right amount of chewy. It is gluten-free bread perfection. I am going to have to order more of this from Rebecca…and stat!
Let’s talk ingredients now, shall we? The Tastefully Simple Gluten-Free Beer Bread is a mix of rice flour, whey, sugar, potato starch, tapioca flour, baking powder, whey protein concentrate, cassava flour, brown sugar, salt, yeast extract, natural flavors, maltodextrin, and xanthan gum. Not a bad mix of ingredients there.
As for nutrition…the way I prepared the bread…the stats would look like this:
This mix contains enough for 13 servings. One serving of this bread would provide you with 138 calories and 3 grams of fat. You would also have get only 6 grams of sugar, no fiber, and 3 grams of protein. Amazing stats for bread, yes? YES!
And…trust me when I say that this bread is really, really, really good. Tastefully simple. Tastefully gluten-free. Tastefully devoured.
So, if you want to give it a try, hop on over to Rebecca’s Tastefully Simple Page (www.tastefullysimple.com/web/bfifield) and place an order now. You won’t regret it. I am so happy to have this in my life. Thank you, Rebecca! And thank you, Tastefully Simple!
The Celiathlete 