Cupcakes & Chai

Gluten Free Eats

Herbal Coffee?

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One of the saddest days of my life was being diagnosed with a coffee intolerance… melodramatic, I know!   Apparently, scientists somewhere are working really hard to find the correlation between gluten and coffee allergies/intolerances. So what is one to do but try to find a suitable substitute?

Teeccino makes some of the most amazing herbal coffee and should you find yourself missing iced coffee, allow me to recommend the Vanilla Nut, which is also available as tee bags for your convenience. {I really wish they wouldn’t name them that - it forces ones mind to briefly pay the gutter a visit, dare I say.}

I usually brew a large enough batch and store it in the fridge.  I pour some of the brew into an ice tray and freeze until needed.  Then when I am ready to “assemble” {I recycle my Starbucks cups, although I should really look into getting one of these}, I fill the cup with almond milk, herbal coffee, herbal coffee ice cubes and a hint of agave nectar. And there you have it! 

Feliz Cinco De Mayo

Feliz Cinco de Mayo a todos!   I hope you are enjoying the festivities responsibly?  Mother and I celebrated yesterday at a bridal shower - and when I say celebrated, some of us {I won’t name names} got a tad bit tipsy off of pink champagne.  I did not realize how much I loved pink until I saw the beautiful table settings.

There was a taco buffet with gluten free tacos {oh joy} and I assembled two as shown above.  One had beef, black beans, and guacamole {another food I feel strongly about}.  The second had the most succulent pulled pork soaked in an amazing barbecue sauce with coleslaw and some fruit salsa on the side.  I am thinking of having a soiree of sorts this summer- cupcake themed, and this bridal shower definitely inspired me to do a lot of things myself! 

Turkey and Coleslaw Sandwich

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Who:  New Morning Market 

What:   Turkey and Coleslaw Sandwich 

Where:   Woodbury, CT

It has been a while since I had a sandwich that rocked my culinary world so to speak.  Imagine my surprise when I ordered the Turkey and Coleslaw sandwich at New Morning.  Oh heeeellllloooo!  Applegate turkey, red peppers, creamy coleslaw and Udi’s gluten free bread.  I ought to tell you - I have an “irrational” love for coleslaw… I can even admit that I’ve had it for breakfast on several occasions. Don’t judge me.   

Marshmallow + Corn Flakes + Chocolate = Crunchy Chaos

imageWho:  Whole Foods

What:  Goodie Girl Tribeca Crunchy Chaos Cookies

Where:   Columbus Circle, NYC

Yesterday, after having been part of the audience at the Wendy Show, my friends and I found ourselves at Whole Foods in Columbus Circle for lunch.  Usually I have my cheat day on the weekends but I had to make an exception for these delicious cookies.  They remind me of Tate’s gluten free chocolate chip cookies, but with marshmallows and cornflakes.  Crunchy, delicious goodness that was brought home to accompany my masala chai!  Here is a great gluten free chocolate chip cookie recipe - uh huh, you’re welcome :) 

Who:  IKEA

What:  Gluten Free Almond Cake 

Where:  New Haven, Connecticut 

Earlier this week, I was at IKEA shopping for a client.  Since I’m on a weight loss journey, it can be a challenge to eat out.  I opted for a greek salad with herb salad dressing.  But let’s talk about my favorite part of the meal - the gluten free almond cake.  If you haven’t tried it, {first of all I’m over here shaking my head wondering why not}, you simply must!  In between bites of cake and sips of tea, I wondered if I’d be able to replicate it… Hmm I’ll have to look into that.