I like hummus and buy it every so often at the grocery store. Typically I'll buy either a plain hummus or one with fresh garlic added. But I've noticed many innovative varieties of hummus hitting store shelves lately. It's the perfect snack if you're following a gluten free diet (as all the varieties I've seen are gluten free) and a great item to incorporate into your diet if you're looking for more protein and fiber. Recently I was sent a package of four varieties of hummus from a company I wasn't familiar with: Eat Well Embrace Life. Created just three years ago -- in 2011 -- the company has "Americanized the hummus category" by creating hummus from "other beans" (i.e. white beans, edamame, black beans, and lentils). They make many varieties of this "Other Bean Hummus" -- as well as a line of "Better For You Hummus." The ones I tried were divine. From the "Other Bean" category, I enjoyed Tuscan White Bean Hummus with roasted pine nuts and herb topping, Spicy Yellow Lentil Hummus with sunflower seeds and apricot topping (this one definitely has a kick to it!), and Spicy Red Lentil Chipotle Hummus with poblano pepper and corn... Read more →
October 2014
As you know, I've been trying to get the word out about the growing number of gluten free skin care lines. I just wanted to share a quick post today about one I've personally tried -- a wonderful skin care line that's free of gluten...and that I'm currently using (the company has a line of high-quality gluten free vitamin supplements, too, so read on). In the past 15+ years, I really started scrutinizing the skin care products I used. Good products can be expensive, and I wanted to make sure I was getting the most for my money. Just as I've always been very vigilant reading labels to find out what is in the foods I buy, I've also become more interested in what ingredients are in the personal care products I use. I've become aware of some of the harmful chemicals allowed in skin care, hair care, and cosmetics in this country -- ingredients that are not even allowed in Europe and other parts of the world. That's why I was excited to try Arbonne's skin care products. I'd heard a lot about them over the years from neighbors and friends. But it wasn't until recently that I decided... Read more →
Have you dreamed of getting away to a beautiful and relaxing B&B where every detail is thought of -- including gluten free meals? If you thought a place didn't exist, I'm here to tell you it does...and best of all, it's located in one of the most picturesque and wonderful places in the U.S.: Napa Valley's wine country. Having lived in San Francisco myself many years ago -- and spent numerous weekends venturing up to Napa and Sonoma with my husband -- I can tell you that it's a place like no other. I was so thrilled to learn a year ago that Karen Lynch, gluten free herself for nearly a decade, had restored a historic home and several cottages on a beautiful piece of property in the heart of downtown Napa...and turned it into a B&B called the Inn on Randolph. Although the food served has always been 100% gluten free, Karen didn't initially market the inn that way. But she soon realized her mission must be to make others like her aware that they could find a safe "home away from home" in Napa where they could relax and enjoy wonderful, safe meals as they explore the area.... Read more →
If you're a gluten free high school student starting to look at colleges, you've probably wondered how difficult it will be to maintain your diet over four years at college. While your speical dietary needs aren't the only factor weighing in your college decision, it can be an important part of the decision. After all, you'll be spending four years there, and depending on the college, on-campus dining may be your only option for meals. Fortunately, there are plenty of online resources to help you assess the degree of gluten free friendliness of the colleges you may be considering. A couple years ago we launched a section of our website devoted to Gluten Free College Reviews. Gluten free students have submitted reviews of their colleges' dining services, from a gluten free perspective. Feedback ranges from colleges that offer a limited choice of plain options like grilled chicken or fish, baked potoato, and steamed veggies -- to colleges that give plenty of choices which can even be ordered in advance and ready for you upon your arrival at the dining hall. Perhaps you'll find a review of a college you've been considering. We encourage gluten free college reviewers to share advice... Read more →