Multiple Conference Frenzy

This past weekend was crazy for me. I attended both the California Speech and Hearing Association Conference and the Celiac Disease Foundation Gluten Free Expo. I am still trying to recover from my exhausting weekend three days later.

Going to CSHA this year felt different than past years. Looking at the class availability, I felt like I actually understood the purpose of some of the classes. My selection criteria was different as I find myself about to start my clinical placements. I attended a really great session on using Legos for social skills. I see myself being able to use the information from that session in the future. I also focused my time in the exhibit hall to connect with exhibitors that could be possible future employeers or had products that could be beneficial to my current caseload or any future clients. I may have found myself some possible clinical placements, which is AMAZING!!! I am also really excited for some great product and app reviews that will be published soon.

The gluten free expo on the other hand was just as amazing as in past years. Tons of new companies were pedaling new products and providing samples of everything. I left the first day so full of samples, I didn't know what to do with myself. Everything from bakeries from all over California to the newest cereal to hit the market, GF LUCKY CHARMS!!! I know right! I am so excited for the sample box I got to take home. In the next few weeks keep an eye out for some great new gluten free product reviews and recipes. I am even going to take a field trip to one company's factory and get you a behind the scenes look.

Interested in learning about a new app or product speech or gluten free related, let me know and I will do my best to connect with the company. I don't know if I can get my hands on a product until I try!!

Breana

Gluten Free in Denver!

I knew long before I left for ASHA i was going to have no problems eating in Denver. First of all, I should mention that my sister has lived in Denver for around 4 years and she is Gluten Free by association (both our parents are gene carriers). I of course, took a bunch of snacks and oatmeal with me just in case I didn't get to leave my booth, but was hoping they weren't going to be necessary.

In the convention center, I was told if I had purchased a ticketed lunch, I could have eaten a gluten free turkey sandwich. I didn't get a ticketed lunch, but was able to get the chef to make me a lettuce wrapped hamburger after an hour of running around the convention center.

For dinner one night after the convention my sister too me out to meet some of her friends. We went to this amazing restaurant called Angelo's (http://angelosdenver.com) on 6th street. They had amazing cooked and raw oysters and all of the pastas could be made with gluten free pasta. I had Gorganzola Steak Fettucine. It is a dish i would come back for.

The next night we went to a cute little Morrocan restaurant called Cafe Paprika (http://www.cafepaprika.com). I had lamb shank with basmati rice and it was amazing. I did learn the soup ha flour in it, but the salad was just as good.

My last morning in town, my sister took me to brunch at a top rated new brunch spot. Owned by a celiac, this place can make anything on the menu gluten free. Revelry Kitchen (http://www.revelrydenver.com) has a seasonal menu. Here are just a few pictures of the amazing food we ate!!! My sister and I both had roasted pumpkin cinnamon rolls with bacon to start. She had biscuits and gravy while I had a lobster BLT with fries. I also got a muffin trio to go. I was also in love with my coffee cup!!

Have any favorite gluten free spots of your own in Denver? Share them in the comments!!

Breana

Vacation!!!!

For the first time in a few years I finally got to go on vacation to a NEW place!!! New York was an amazing adventure filled with the 3 F's (friends, family, and food). This was my first trip to a new place since my diagnosis almost seven years ago. I know what you are thinking, wow! this girl never gets to travel. Well it's true, traveling is something I want to do but don't have a budget for right now. I didn't realize how different it was going to be traveling with food allergies. Keep reading to learn about some restaurants I found and the ways I managed to not get glutened.

The first part of the trip was spent in upstate New York. Kingston/Boiceville were beautiful with a small town feel. My cousin got married at Onteora Mountain House. It was a beautiful venue in the mountains. The rehearsal dinner was at Hickory Smoked BBQ in Kingston. The restaurant was amazing at verifying all of the food they served. Platters were delivered to each table, but to make sure there was not going to be an issue, a separate plate was brought to me (directly from the kitchen) with a little bit of everything I could eat. When I wanted more food, the wait staff was great at bringing me out individual servings of everything. The wedding venue itself provided a gluten-free/ vegetarian option for wedding guests. I am still trying to figure out what I ate, but can tell you they have great bartenders that make great drinks. I don't know what I would have done without the open bar. The brunch provided the next morning was nice with an omelette station, fresh fruit, and some other not gluten free items.

Next came a few days in the East Northport neighborhood of Long Island. This included a day trip to Greenport, some wine tasting, and a stop at a side of the road farm stand. Greenport was a cute little city right on the water. We had amazing seafood at a restaurant called Crabby Jerry's. I didn't get a picture of my fresh seafood because I was so hungry I couldn't wait to start eating. We found an old-school ice cream shop and got root beer floats, took a walk and ride on a carousel. On the way home we stopped at Pindar Winery, only to find out they do not ship to California, and at a farm stand to get some fresh corn and fruit.

The trip ended with a few beautiful and hot days in "The City". My family and I stayed in a beautiful (brand new) Hampton Inn a few blocks from Times Square. We ate at a variety of different restaurants including Etcetera, Etcetera (http://etcetcnyc.com), The Lincoln Square Steak (http://lincolnsquaresteak.com), Macy's in Harold Square, and Ben's Kosher Cuisine. We also did the typical touristy thing, sightseeing by Circle Line Tour, The Empire State Building, the 9/11 Museum, and Times Square. Check out those amazing coffee cups from the Hampton Inn.

 This was dinner on the way home! The wine was courtesy of United Airlines for not having a pilot in the correct airport when it was time to take off. We only left 90 minutes late!

 I was very impressed how gluten free friendly all of the restaurants on the trip were. I had no trouble finding food to eat or places to snack around the city. My fear of traveling is over and i know i can feel comfortable eating most anywhere I choose to travel.

Have you been to NYC and found a gluten free friendly restaurant? Please share!!

Breana

Tiramisu!!

How long has it been since you had a good piece of Tiramisu? Let me rephrase that, Gluten Free Tiramisu!!!

That's right ladies and gentleman. Our favorite Nutritionist Dr. Anne from Schar let me product test some amazing new lady fingers. I decided to follow the recipe on the side of the package with a few modifications. I was so proud of the result!!!

This was the dessert for the first home cooked meal I made my boyfriend. I should not have aimed so high because now he expects such nice desserts. Oooops!

Here is the packaging of the amazing product!! This product is new to the USA line of Schar products.

This was the mascarpone I found in my local market. It was just the right size to make the recipe!!

This was the finished product before going into the fridge to set. The coco powder on top was a little clumpy. The is something I would work on next time I made this desert!

This picture shows the layers of lady fingers and filling. My bottom layer was a little too soggy. It is a fine balance between soaking the ladyfingers for too long and soaking them not enough. I figured out that soaking them until they are soft on the sides works because they will continue to soften as the dessert sets!

Finally, here is the recipe on the side of the package.

The only recipe change I made was my alcohol choice. I chose to use orange liquor as opposed to rum. The mild flavor of orange brought the dessert to another level.

I really hope you enjoy this dessert!! I can't wait to find the ladyfingers and be able to make this dessert again. I have a few more ideas for ways to make my creation my own! Please share your recipe changes for the community!!

Bon Appetit,
Breana

Who Reads?

Disclaimer: this post contain affiliate links

I know it has been a LONG time since I posted anything, but that is about to change...

     As a member of both the gluten free community and the Speech and Language services community I know that books are a must. I use gluten free cookbooks all the time to find new recipes, get ideas for baking, and to help me make super cute decorations for my cupcakes and other bakes goods. As a SLPA in the schools I use a variety of books with my students to elicit different types of language, especially with my elementary students. I am also learning to take time for myself on a regular basis and have become a somewhat avid reader.
     Also, as a student, I am on a budget when it comes to buying books for both my and my students needs. I love my KINDLE, even though it is the first generation and doesn't really have many features.
     Have you ever thought about using a kindle or kindle app on a device (iPad/tablet) to read books to students or for your own benefit? I know that I usually have my iPad around during the day for therapy, so having my books readily available means that I can read when I get to a site early or have absent students. I have also figured out that students cannot rip and destroy books on my iPad. Plus, kindle books are generally cheaper than real books.

If any of this sounds interesting to you consider looking into buying a Kindle or Kindle Fire tablet (it is a bit of an investment but totally worth it):
Shop Amazon - All-New Kindle - Our Most Affordable Kindle - Now With Touch
Shop Amazon - Introducing Fire HD 6 - The Most Powerful Tablet Under $100
Shop Amazon - Introducing Fire HD Kids Edition - Everything Kids Love. Everything Parents Want.

To take the free route, download the free kindle app on your iPad, Android, Windows, or Blackberry device:
Kindle apps for all devices

Plus take advantage of a plethora of free kindle book apps:
Kindle Fire Free Books
Free Books for Kindle Fire (+ recent price drops)
Kindle Buffet: Find and download the best free books, magazines and newspapers for your Kindle, iPhone, iPad or Android

Do you use a kindle for personal or therapy use? Tell us how you use it and anything else you think others should know!

Hope this helps,
Breana

Review: Canyon Oats Oatmeal

I had an amazing time at the Celiac Disease Foundation Gluten Free Expo in June. This was my first Expo as a blogger! My first product review is Canyon Oats Instant Oatmeal. Canyon Oats uses GF Harvest Oats which are manufactured with only gluten free equipment, so there is absolutely no risk of cross contamination (Other oats can be harvest with the same equipment as non-gf oats therefore causing cross contamination).

Canyon Oats makes instant oats meal in the following flavors (something for everyone's taste): Brown Sugar
Cherry, Cranberry, Walnut
Cinnamon Apple with Stevia and Walnuts
Cocoa-Nut
Honey
Maple & Almond
Maple
Sweet Honey Cinnamon
Honey Crisp Vanilla and Cinnamon Granola

I don't know about anyone else, but I have texture sensitivity to certain foods, oatmeal being one of them. The soft, sticky texture is hard for me to eat, therefore it has been a long time since I have eaten any kind of oatmeal. I LOVE Canyon Oats instant oatmeal because it has chunks of nuts mixed in with the oats, which provide a different texture without changing the taste. I will be eating this brand of oatmeal regularly. Not to mention that it is easy to make at work, to travel with, and only takes 3 minutes in hot water to set up!! 

Don't forget to check the product label if you have any other food allergies. I have found this product at my local sprouts.

Here is a picture of the shelf at my local Sprouts. You can see the instant oats meal in 5 flavors on the third shelf and large bags of oats from Gluten Free Harvest on the bottom shelf. (Canyon Oats is owned, operated, and made by the same family that grows, harvests, and sells GF Harvest Oats)

Breana