Luscious truffles, giveaway, and more!

The best thing about Valentine’s Day is that it is a day that revolves around chocolate. And I really like chocolate. Really, really like it.

I haven’t done too many chocolate things on this blog, mostly because they’ve all made their way into my books somehow. But my favourite? These Chocolate Cream Truffles.

If you’ve snagged The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies, you’ll be happy to note a lot of chocolate makes its way into there. And around this blog. And in my house.

In other news, do not forget about the giveaway! You have until THIS FRIDAY (the 15th) for a chance to win one of two copies of The Allergy-Free Cook Bakes Cakes and Cookies and one of two Gluten-Free Coaching sessions. Also until Friday, folks can get 50% off a GF Coaching session.

Finally, I’m going to Disney World soon, and like last years, am so excited to eat! I can’t wait to give you the full food report!

Gluten Freedom: the basics || Tuja Wellness

I get asked a lot of what I can eat. The answer, of course, is nothing.

Just kidding.

I started writing a column over at Tuja Wellness, which I mentioned in my last post, and I’m officially the gluten-free columnist over there.

For those new to a gluten-free diet, check out my tips on starting out gluten-free, in my article about the basics of gluten-free living.

Meanwhile, I’m nine days away in making my ADRs for Disney this year! Oooh, man, it’s going to be delicious…

 

Gluten-free, allergy-friendly, vegan 2012 Disney World Trip Report: Part II

Finally!

I have had the time to sit down and write for five hours reminiscing every morsel I enjoyed on my trip to Disney World. The Table Service reviews are finally finished!

If you didn’t catch part I of my update, click here to read it.

You’ll want to start there, then head over to my general Walt Disney World Tips, with what I did to prepare for the trip and how to make sure the chefs know what to do with you and your allergies/celiac (and, in my case, a vegan thrown into the mix).

There have been a pile of changes, but some consistencies, so if this is your first time here, you can read the 2011 reports, too. Here is the Counter Service Reviews for 2011, and the Table Service Reviews for 2011.

And finally, my official 2012 trip report here, with details on where to eat gluten/allergy-free and vegan for counter service and where to eat gluten/allergy-free and vegan for table service. And the amazing, amazing chefs.

Despite all of the new dietary changes Disney is making, we definitely ate better this year. I think that was due in part to doing more preparation and research, but we had amazing chefs.

One thing to note: we weren’t on the dining plan. I didn’t post the prices and often we ate off of the menu, so if you’re wondering costs of anything, let me know and I can add that in.

Cheers!

Gluten-free, allergy-friendly, vegan 2012 Disney World Trip Report: Part I

Yes, yes, I know it is April 30th, and I’ve been back for about seven weeks. But the world definitely gets in the way of writing out all of the details of my trip.

Luckily, a few things happened when I was writing it:

• I realized that I was thismuchcloser to my trip next year
• I relived all of the magical memories. And yes, that is so “Disney cliche”, but if you’ve ever been there, that is exactly what they are
• I smiled for every second that I typed moments that I’ll never forget with my ultimate mom
• I was just so, so happy. Really! I could hardly sleep. (That might also be because it was my mom’s birthday party celebration day and I was thoroughly enjoying making, eating components of, then finally having a piece of this:

It makes it a little hard to sleep when you give up coffee 1.5 years ago then slam your body with copious amounts of caffeine.

Anyway!

I have finally updated half of the trip report. There are new versions of the tips in the 2012 report (and many of the old tips still apply), and I’ve done all of the counter service/quick service reports. It has the link to the 2012 table service reports, but it will not work yet (I’ll update when I’m finished).

I try to be as detailed as possible so please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions. In addition, if there is a place that you wanted to eat at that Idon’t mention, please comment and ask me about it–chances are I might have went there and there were no options available so I left (for counter service).

Table service, on the other hand, was prepped well in an advance. We did our 180 Advance Dining Reservations and were all prepped with our options:

• Sanaa
• Raglan Road
• Boma for both breakfast and dinner
• Kouzzina for both breakfast and dinner
• Citricos
• 1900 Park Fare
• Hoop Dee Do Musical Revue
• Le Cellier
• La Hacienda de San Angel
• The Wave

We had Mama Melrose on the list and Kona Cafe of the list and they were both replaced. When I spoke to the chef at Mama Melrose, he said that their only option for me (gluten-free and vegan) was pasta with plain marinara sauce, which I didn’t want to have (a little boring). We ended up going to Raglan Road instead on a whim.

We also replaced Kona Cafe because the chef didn’t call me back–even after two chefs called him and asked him to. We went to Kouzzina again because we (a) love the food (b) love the chefs (c) became friendly with them and had an amazing time (so we went to Kouzzina three times in total).

Finally, we didn’t actually make it to Boma for dinner. Without getting too graphic, I had a stomach flu, and the day before we left (a Thursday), I started vomiting at 3pm and didn’t stop until the Sunday. I’ve never been so sick in my life (I hadn’t thrown up in years), and when I look at my Boma details from last year, I still have some heartache. I was so sad to pick up that phone and cancel our reservation that evening.

Anyway, please check out the tips and the counter service reviews here.

I will be updating the rest soon!

Gluten-free, vegan, allergy-free Disney World trip report

… Coming soon.

On the second last day of my 15-day jaunt around the World, I came down with a way-too-much-vomit-inducing flu. I’m finally on the mend and will get my trip report posted soon!

This includes all the changes in their allergen-free items, and I’ll detail all of our meals (both Table Service and Quick Service).

Before it is posted, if anyone has any questions, please don’t hesitate to let me know!