Ooba’s in Redmond

May 24, 2011 kristenannLeave a comment

For our 8th anniversary my husband and I went out for a casual dinner. On my favorite walk (to the library) I pass by a Mexican restaurant that is tucked into a shady corner on a quiet street just off a busier retail area. It always has really good Latin or flamenco music pumped outside and there is actual seating on the patio which is a rare treat around here. Everyone there always looks happy and whenever I walk by there I think, we should try that place. So finally, we did, though my husband has actually been there several times and swears I went there years ago. Since it was our anniversary I didn’t argue, but I really don’t remember going there before. It’s called Ooba’s and apparently there are ones in Bellevue and Woodinville too, but the feel is all funky college town, not suburban sprawl at all. You order at the counter and they bring out your food to you after you have gathered your own condiments, utensils and such. The food was good~ for gluten free folks like myself there are tacos and salad in a corn taco shell. They bring our individual bags of corn chips with every meal and serve a wide variety of adult beverages. I got a salad with veggies (as opposed to chicken, beef, or fish on top) and regretted not ordering it dairy free as they are generous with the cheese and sour cream. Luckily I had my enzymes with me, but next time I’ll see if I can get it topped with avocado instead. Everything was fresh and crisp and there were enough black beans in the salad to keep me happy. My husband enjoyed his burrito, though agreed there was a bit too much dairy. The proportions are huge, so come hungry. Really cute place to go for Mexican that isn’t fast-foodish but also isn’t the sit down and listen to a succession of bad mariachi songs while wondering if your beans are made with meat and your corn tortillas tainted with gluten. Really glad we went~ whether it was my first or second time.

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Charcoal for Food Poisoning (not a post for the weak of stomach)

May 21, 2011September 23, 2012 kristenannLeave a comment

On Monday I drank a big glass of carrot juice that had been open in our fridge a tad too long (but still within its doom date.) Tuesday morning I felt little tiny waves of nausea during yoga class that were so distant I actually thought the yoga was just releasing old toxins or something. Then as the day progressed the waves of nausea got more intense and persistent until finally by early afternoon I was lying on the bed with my cell phone, calling my husband to come home and pick up the kids. His timing was truly impeccable, on a side note, so much so that as sick as I was I couldn’t help marveling at it. Just as I felt I could no longer move as the pain was reaching fever pitch I heard him come in the door and walk back to our room where I said one word, “bowl!” He ran to the kitchen, grabbed a huge mixing bowl, ran back and put it under me JUST in time. Fascinating. Anyway, after throwing up the first time I asked him to get charcoal because I was pretty sure it was food poisoning. He needed to get the kids first so it took awhile and by the time he brought me the tablets I was in the extremes of pain again. I took a tablet despite knowing I really couldn’t hold anything down at that moment, and sure enough it made me throw up in less than thirty seconds, which actually was a good thing. Everyone feels better afterwards. Then I took another tablet hoping my stomach could hold it long enough to soak up some toxins, and it seemed to help because I only threw up one more time after taking it. I was able to fall asleep for hours and start mending. I always wonder who the first person was who looked at charcoal and thought, “hm, maybe I’ll ingest that.” But then again there are a lot of things like that~ such as salt. Anyway, as inhospitable as it sounds, I’m keeping charcoal around for future food poisoning issues. Not much can help stomach issues so having anything in the cupboard helps. That and having ginger around. And keeping track of how old the food and juice in the fridge is.

gluten free

Gluten Free Fair at Whole Foods

May 16, 2011 kristenannLeave a comment

The most noticeable thing about the gluten free fair yesterday was just how far all the gluten free foods have come since a few years ago. Everything we tried (I went there with my friend who can’t have gluten, dairy or eggs and her two little girls, one of whom can’t tolerate those items either) was good. Surprisingly good even. Of course, there were a lot of cookies and really, how bad can a cookie be? It seems like a lot of the gluten free companies are trending towards dairy and egg free too, probably because they get so many requests to modify for other allergies. There were also several soy free labels added on to the listings of food items that were not included. One that really stood out was Amy’s frozen mac and cheese that was indeed gluten free, dairy free and soy free. Quite good! The texture was spot on, the taste was creamy, and although it had a different taste than regular cheese, for those who can’t have any of the normal mac and cheese ingredients, this would hit the spot. There were cookies that you buy as cookie dough in the refrigerated section which had the nice benefit of being able to bake only as many as you want at a time. Schar was there with a variety of crackers that the girls both liked a lot~ including cheesy crackers that were simply gluten free. They are sticking with their specialty. The crackers from Glutino tasted the most like buttery crackers from my childhood that I’ve had since going gluten free. They have that same texture and thickness plus a dose of buttery-ness that I’m not sure is real butter or a substitute. (My personal favorite gluten free cracker is Blue Diamond though and it would take a lot to convert me. Their pecan nut thins are so salty and delicious.) Zing bars were there and we all tried the chocolate coconut flavor which was tasty, though you have to like that kind of bar~ the kind where it feels like the ingredients all were put into a processor until they come out in almost a jelly form, then cut into rectangles and baked to harden, kind of like the power bars of the 90’s except thinker and a little chunkier. I have no idea how they are actually made and I’m sure I’m far from the actual process, but there is just two basic ‘bars’ out there~ the somewhat granola-ish type, and then this other thick more processed type. I like the more granola kind best, but I know a lot of people like the other. Some of the Zing bars are just gluten free, others are also soy and/or dairy free, so make sure to read the label. There were others there, such as Udi’s and some salad dressings that we missed out on trying, but it looked as though those two companies were part of a gluten free barbecue outside that was certainly popular. In fact the whole fair, which consisted of vendors throughout the store giving out samples and information, was very well attended. There are so many people with food allergies now and it doesn’t seem like something that is miraculously going to go away. I’ve heard ‘gluten free’ called the new ‘low carb’, which is mildly insulting considering ‘low carb’ was a choice and no one is choosing gluten intolerance, but the I can understand the comparison in that the natural field always seems to grasp on to some trend or another and go whole hog with it. Didn’t someone say “moderation in all things”…? Anyway, all in all I was very glad we went and we both went home with new products that we tried.

gluten free · supplements

Good News Redmond!

May 10, 2011 kristenannLeave a comment

First of all, Redmond now has it’s very own Flying Apron Cafe! That news alone is awesome. I can’t wait to check it out this week and see what they’ve done differently from their Fremont location. It’s so exciting to know there is a place I can meet friends for coffee and a treat or a whole lunch and be able to choose anything off the menu, or just swing by and pick up a loaf of gluten free whole grain bread, like their quinoa loaf or rosemary bread. Yes, I can make those things in my own kitchen since I have their cookbook, and yes there are other options out there like Udi’s and such, but honestly, all those gluten free store bought brands just taste closer to a white bread than a whole grain bread. That’s why I like Flying Apron, it tastes like real food. It’s the difference b/t buying a loaf of rainbow brand bread and buying a whole grain baguette. And as much as I like baking, breads are trickier, especially gluten free European style breads, so buying them suits me just fine. A couple of other Redmond updates in the natural foods industry is that Seattle Super Supplements finally opened up their huge new store across from Whole Foods. When I worked in the natural industry they were one of my biggest accounts and I can personally attest to how seriously and aggressively they work the bargains. If they don’t have the lowest prices on supps, I seriously don’t know who does. It is surprising to me though that they would open up right across the street from Whole Foods, and not only that, there are at least three other supps shops on that side of the road in Redmond. They seem to be a growing company though so I must assume they know what they are doing.
And speaking of Redmond’s Whole Foods, they are having a gluten free event this weekend. Here are the details from their own website:
Sunday, May 15th
Gluten Free Fair
11-2pm FREE
May is recognized by many groups as Food Allergy awareness month. Join us for some great gluten-free treats and stay for our gluten-free BBQ ($5). Meet a local naturopathic doctor who specializes in holistic health and wellness. No need to RSVP — just come on over!

I’ll be there!

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Gluten Free Mother’s day breakfast

May 8, 2011 kristenannLeave a comment

My morning started out in the classic mother’s day fashion~ breakfast in bed. It contained fresh fruit, a scramble egg and an Udi’s blueberry muffin. This was the first time I’ve tried one of Udi’s baked goods besides their bread, (which I like the whole grain one but not so much the white version), although I eat their granola just about every morning. The muffin was light and spongy with a little dusting of sugar crystals on top and definitely was a nice bread-type accompaniment to the breakfast spread, but I wouldn’t buy them for general everyday mornings. I like baked goods with a bit more gravitas to them~ something substantial with maybe some healthy-ness to them. I’m glad I got to try them though and ate the whole thing by snacking on it all morning. (It was a large breakfast!)
Speaking of breakfast foods, my son loves Van’s french toast sticks. They are gluten free, egg free and dairy free which takes care of an awful lot of people. And they are good! I’ve tried them off my son’s plate and they taste like real food. They have that whole grain taste both my son and I crave without being overly filling like a bowl of oatmeal can sometimes feel. His food sensitivities are much better than they were, but I still feel better starting him off with a breakfast that has none of his trigger points, and lately that means these french toast sticks and fresh strawberries.
Now my husband has taken the boys out to play with their uncle and his dog while I get to have a bit of time to relax. Ahhhh. Of course, being a mom I can’t help but look around and see other things I need to clean, so I better hop to it while I have the chance.

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Cafe Flora in Seattle

May 3, 2011 kristenannLeave a comment

I’ve heard of the legendary vegetarian restaurant, Cafe Flora, ever since moving to the Seattle region, but somehow have never made it there, until this past Saturday. Oh boy have I been missing out. Not only is the restaurant lovely with walls of windows, indoor plants that would make the amazon green with envy, and art that was quirky, the menu is full of gluten free options. And I don’t just mean you can order your salad gluten free, I mean appetizers, salads/soups, and main courses are clearly labeled as gluten free if they indeed are. It took me ages to decide what to get actually since I’m normally limited to maybe two options on a menu that qualify as both gluten free and vegetarian. The variety of options was dizzying, so I think I just have to buy their cookbook and make the many things I didn’t get to try. What I did try was a starter of tofu ‘breaded” with coconut which we then wrapped in lettuce with cilantro and mint and dipped into some kind of vinegar sauce. Yum. Then I ordered a Spring Salad that had asparagus, marinated cucumbers and red peppers, as well as other things including a dressing that was spicier than expected. Very different and delicious. I tried a friend’s yam french fries which were good too. There is also a kids’ menu and a little area for kids to busy themselves while waiting~ very cute, and useful. I’ll have to try it out on my own kids next time~ good excuse to head back.

Food allergies · food sensitivities · sensory processing disorder

More on Sensory Processing Disorder

April 26, 2011September 23, 2012 kristenannLeave a comment

Someone asked for more info on this, so this post is for her. First of all, there has been quite a bit of research on the relationship between food sensitivities or allergies and SPD, so definitely get your child tested if diagnosed with SPD, or even if you just suspect it. And listen to your gut too. We had two food allergy testings come back negative, but then went to a third Doctor who found very specific sensitivities, and a true yeast allergy that really was the biggest factor. Once that was under control, he was a whole new kid. Sometimes a Naturopath is the best answer. Finding the best therapists for your child is crucial~ we found (after a couple of bad tries) an Occupational therapist who really did a fantastic job figuring out what my son’s triggers were~ what sensory activities he craved, and what calmed him down when over excited. We were then able to use that knowledge to conduct daily life. For example, we tried to do physical activity early in the day, and when my son showed signs of over-exuberance, we knew what activities calmed him, such as deep pressure. (Weighted blankets, heavy work, etc.) We avoided high-sensory activities that did not allow for him to move, such as movies which were generally too loud, too visually exciting, etc. But something like a bounce house place was great b/c he could convert his sensory intake into output easily. He also needed speech therapy and we found a therapist who was very in tune to occupational therapy. She worked only with SPD kids, and kids with autism/aspergers/etc. If your child needs any other therapies I highly recommend finding people who specialize in these kinds of kids b/c they understand the physical and environmental needs of these sensitive kids. My son also went to a school, starting in preschool, that provided OT and ST at school. When he couldn’t sit still, they took him for walks and provided other accommodations in the classroom. We were very lucky. If you end up with a school that does not recognize the special needs of your SPD kid, then find someone who can advocate for you, such as an OT. If the school wants to label your SPD child a behaviour problem, fight it. As a former teacher I can tell you that once your child is labeled that way, there is no return. This probably sounds like a heck of a lot to do, but if you hit it hard and consistently, it pays off quickly. Really quickly. My son is now in first grade and no longer needs any OT or ST, privately or at school. He is still high maintenance in many ways, but the majority of the time he is happy, calm, and excited about life. The entire school is impressed with his progress~ it’s awesome. I hope this helps. Good luck!

gluten free food

Gluten Free Mexican style

April 18, 2011September 23, 2012 kristenannLeave a comment

I had a major craving for black beans on Saturday night, but had none in the house, so I ran to the store and ended up getting a whole lot more. On Sunday I cooked up the beans, which had soaked overnight, with cumin until they were almost refried beans texture. While they cooked I made guacamole: 2 avocados, 1 tomato, 1 small onion, 3 cloves of garlic, some lime juice, salt and pepper blended together. It made a lot more than I expected actually, so I’ve been eating it pretty much nonstop since it turns so quickly. After blending all that together I put it in the fridge while making corn tortillas: 1C masa harina with about 1C warm water and 1/8t of baking soda (to give it ‘lift’). After mixing, I rolled the dough into about 3 equal balls, then patted them as flat as I could before putting onto a hot pan. Once in the pan, I tried to flatten them further, but they were still the thickest corn tortillas I have ever had, but good. Next time I’m going to throw some herbs like rosemary and dill in to flavor them a bit though. After cooking on both sides, I took out a tortilla, layered on the beans and guacamole, rolled it up a bit and ate. Bliss! The only thing it was missing was some cilantro. Next time I’ll add that first, then the beans and guacamole. A good thing about this combo is that it could be done a whole lot easier with canned beans, pre-made tortillas and some guac from the store. (I love Whole Foods’ brand) but making everything from scratch was lovely.

gluten intolerance symptoms

Greying Early

April 18, 2011 kristenannLeave a comment

This radio station I was listening to the other day informed me that there is an epidemic of young women greying early, so much so that they have their own acronym: gosts~ greying overly stressed twenty- somethings. Considering my general lack of media interaction, this could very well be old news, but I was fascinated and surprised. I got my first grey hair at the ripe ol’ age of 10. My mother acted as though that was completely normal and immediately called the doctor secretly suspecting some horrible disease where I’d be aging rapidly and sharing wrinkle cream tips with her before my teenage years. The dr. allayed her fears, and actually greying early runs in my family, on my father’s side, so it was just kind of accepted and expected. Now I can look at that phenomena and it seems so obvious that I was B vitamin deficient with my meat aversion and sub-par intestines. I would venture to guess my dad’s side has a long history of gluten intolerance actually, though no one but me has ever been tested, much less diagnosed. It definitely makes me wonder if there is more than stress causing this epidemic of young twenty somethings greying early~ food allergies seem to be around every corner these days. I watched a video about lesser known gluten intolerance symptoms and it is amazing how many different ways it can manifest. No wonder drs have such a hard time diagnosing it! She didn’t mention early greying in her video, but it stands to reason if your intestines are not in optimal condition then you cannot get the necessary nutrients for all the body’s processes, which includes coloring one’s hair. (B vitamins are essential.) We know so much more now about health and nutrition, and yet it seems you really have to research for yourself to get an answer. Leaving it up to the docs just isn’t enough.

gluten free

Gluten free english muffins

April 6, 2011 kristenannLeave a comment

There are several gluten free english muffin recipes out there that look yummy, but they all also look a bit more labor intensive than I am used to with baked goods, which is a shame because I really miss Rudi’s Spelt english muffins in the mornings with either a hard boiled egg cut up on top, or cream cheese and sliced tomatoes. I decided to try Food For Life’s gf english muffins and have been pleasantly surprised. I bought them out of the freezer section so they went into my freezer and I take one out in the morning to let it defrost. Within about two hours or so it is completely defrosted and separated~ no fork needed. Toasted, they stay together well and have the exact same texture as expected from an english muffin. They are a nice treat, though not as good as the spelt ones, but that might be just me b/c I really loved the taste of spelt. Rudi’s spelt tortillas were another favorite, especially warmed with steamed broccoli and tofu inside and garlic sauce. Just not the same with corn tortillas, but still good.