Category: Blog

Get Gluten-Free Food Delivered

It’s no secret that I love to cook. And I love to eat. Naturally, there are some nights when the thought of cooking exhausts me. Often those are the nights when the thought of getting back in the car and hitting a restaurant is equally exhausting.

The trouble is, there aren’t a lot of delivery options for gluten-free diners. We rely most often on a service called LA Bite, which delivers foods from local restaurants. There are a few restaurants in our area that make safe gluten-free foods. On those nights when I need help, this service is a (slightly pricey) lifesaver. Most major cities have options for similar services. Continue reading “Get Gluten-Free Food Delivered”

After Miso Soup, Other Ideas for Miso Paste

While I bow to the curative powers of chicken soup, I prefer miso soup to help me through times of trouble. The salty, savory taste — with or without the addition of tofu and greens — makes even the worst day seem much better. It’s so easy make miso soup, and I keep a tub of miso paste handy for just that reason.

(Plus the miso soups you get in most restaurants are not gluten free, so making it yourself is the safest bet.) Continue reading “After Miso Soup, Other Ideas for Miso Paste”

Getting Past the Gluten-Free Blues

I recently had a conversation with a colleague. It went something like this:

Her: Yeah, two doctors told me I needed to eliminate gluten. I try, but, you know, you have to cheat sometimes.

Me (being as polite as possible): Cheat? No, I never cheat.

Her (looking at me like I’ve grown another head): Really? I cheat all the time.

Me (not saying, “this is why you feel so horrible”): So, we had a great experience with one of your staff last week… Continue reading “Getting Past the Gluten-Free Blues”

Gluten-Free Airline Meals and Snacks Reviews

Flying gluten-free can be challenging, but it can be done. As I take trips, I’m making notes of which airlines had great food, which airlines fell short, and how I managed various scenarios.

As a rule, ordering gluten-free meals on domestic flights is a perk reserved only for business and first-class passengers. This is because main cabin, coach, or whatever-your-airline-calls-it passengers don’t, generally, get meal service on domestic flights. Airlines do have food for sale on these flights, and non-alcoholic beverages are still free (at least on the airlines I’ve flown!). Continue reading “Gluten-Free Airline Meals and Snacks Reviews”

Missing Soy Sauce? Try This Instead

Between you, me, and the wall, I was in the “ain’t never gonna buy or try something call fish sauce” for many years. Let’s face it: the name doesn’t sound appealing. And, well, you know, fish sauce. I was pretty sure I’d hate it.

I didn’t. It was love at first bit. It became an addiction. The kind of addiction that had me making gratuitous fried rice and dipping sauces just so I could get my fish sauce fix (hello spring rolls!). I started sneaking the stuff into dishes where no fish sauce had been contemplated before (when I added it to my caramelized onion dip, I got raves). Continue reading “Missing Soy Sauce? Try This Instead”

What If It’s Not (Only) Gluten?

When I first went GF, I spent a lot of time on the Celiac.com message boards; it was a great comfort and source of information. I still visit regularly, but not as often as I once did. One thing that intrigues and concerns me are the posters who still feel sick after going gluten free. For whatever reason, these people continue to feel awful despite eliminating gluten.

In some cases, it’s clear the posters have made a half-hearted attempt at gluten free. They’re paying lip service, and they’re paying with their bodies. Years ago, for other reasons, I toyed with a gluten-free diet. I was *mostly* good, but wasn’t serious. I cheated. And I convinced myself gluten wasn’t my problem.

It was. I am extremely serious about my gluten-free life now. Had I known then what I know now, I would have, oh, six years of my life back. My problems only got worse after that failed experiment. I’d say it was the folly of youth, but, alas…. Continue reading “What If It’s Not (Only) Gluten?”