Sunday Brunch with Amy: Roots Holiday Brunch

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Snow is sparkling on trees, Christmas lights are up, and holiday brunches are popping up everywhere you go! What could possibly be better than a holiday brunch? How about a holiday brunch that’s designed specifically to be accessible to many different dietary needs!? That’s exactly what you will find at Roots Natural Foods Holiday Brunch!

Typically Sundays are a day of rest for Marieke and the rest of the Roots family, but for the month of December they are open 7 days a week to enjoy the season with their adoring customers. They have tons of amazing gift ideas from lots of small and local businesses (I’m hoping Santa brings me one of those recycled material hats!!) and of course, the kitchen is open! Aside from their always delicious regular menu, Chef Kevin Williams has put together a brunch menu that will have you feeling the holiday spirit, no matter what your dietary needs are!

The menu features a vegan selection, dairy free items, and some wonderful gluten free items. Each week the menu can be adjusted to what is fresh, and what seems to be popular. We attended two of the three weeks, and here’s what we enjoyed:


Gluten Free Quiche
Packed with lots of fresh veggies, this quiche is full of great flavor. The crust, made by Wholly Wholesome, is light and flaky. The eggs are super moist, and there’s plenty of fillers to make sure you leave this meal satisfied. It’s even served on a bed of fresh veggies that are just as delicious as they are beautiful.








Turkey Hash Scramble Bowl
This bowl had so much amazing flavor in it, we found it hard to spot eating! The mix of root veggies in this hash is what truly made this dish special. The turkey was tender and flavorful, and the scrambled eggs were cooked perfectly. The best way we can describe this dish is a hug in a bowl! Living a vegan lifestyle? This dish can be altered to have a tofu scramble, and celebration roast!






Avocado Toast
Brace yourselves, because this foodie fad dish is made perfectly by the Roots Kitchen team! The bread is a locally made focaccia bread from Annie’s Gluten Free Bakery. Toasted to perfection, it’s the perfect vehicle for creamy avocado slices. The staff at the Roots Kitchen must have avocado super powers, because this was the most perfectly ripe avocado I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Seasoned perfectly with oil, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes, this dish is the perfect example of how simple dishes can be spectacular with the right ingredients. Not to mention the natural greens and reds are the perfect way to get into the holiday spirit!






Roots Breakfast Sandwich
This breakfast classic is done so well, you'll wonder why you don't have breakfast sandwiches more often! Made with Annie's Gluten Free focaccia bread, and lots of delicious fillings, you will not leave this plate hungry. The eggs were cooked perfectly, the bacon was amazinly crispy, and it was jam packed with lots of cheese. What more could you want from a breakfast sandwich?! Living a vegan lifestyle? This dish can be altered with a tofu scramble and vegan cheese!










Huevos Roots
Ok, complete honesty here: this dish was the entire reason we wanted to attend brunch at Roots. This dish is making its return to the holiday brunch menu with a bang! Nestled on a bed of freshly grilled corn tortillas, this bowl is jam packed with lots of flavor. Everything from the beans and cheese to the perfectly cooked steak bites are planned to make a perfectly balanced bowl. It's a little spicy, and it's a little savory, but most importantly, it's a fiesta in your mouth. Living a vegan lifestyle? This dish can be altered to have a delightful tofu scramble, and Beyond sausage!



As you can see, this brunch is not one to be missed! The final brunch for the season is December 22, 2019 from 11am-4pm at Roots Natural Foods in Leominster, MA!

Our Holiday wish this year is to see some of these amazing food items more than once a year! One can only hope that the staff would consider an Easter or Mother's Day brunch in the future!

Review: Packed. by Sarah

Like many people who live with food allergies, one of the biggest challenges we face is making sure we have safe to eat food with us wherever we go. There are a lot of gluten free items out there that are not shelf stable. While a lunch box with a freezer pack can work for short day trips, what is there to do for longer trips? Or what about when you lose power at home in a storm? Or, god forbid, you find yourself grabbing your go box to escape a natural disaster? Sarah Izzo had the same challenges with her celiac disease, and used that motivation to launch Packed. by Sarah.

Packed. by Sarah is the answer to all of these questions and more. Each pack features a collection of well balanced snacks that can be eaten all at once for a meal, or separately for healthy and safe snacks. All of the snacks are shelf stable, and certified gluten free. We had the pleasure of trying Packed. by Sarah right before their launch. We loved these handy little bags. Each one was customized to our tastes, and the items were all packed with flavor!

Amy's pack featured dried pineapple from Crispy Green Snacks, a Chomps original beef jerky stick, Perfection Snacks snack mix, and some YumEarth candies. The dried pineapple was absolutely delightful, and perfect for a summer day. While Amy is not typically a huge fan of jerky sticks, she managed to enjoy her Chomps stick. Unlike other brands, the spices were not overwhelming. The Perfection Snacks snack mix was wonderfully cheesy, and featured lots of crunchy snacks bites like chips and pretzels. And as always, YumEarth is the perfect sweet treat for any time.

Andrew's pack featured dried apples from Crispy Green Snacks, a Chomps hoppin jalapeno jerky
stick, Perfection Snacks pretzel sticks, and some YumEarth candies. Andrew is not a huge fan of dried fruit, but very much enjoyed his Crispy Green Snacks dried apples. He says that they actually taste like real apples, and not fake like a lot of other dried fruits he has tried in the past. He loved his Chomped jalapeno stick. It was just the right amount of spicy for this fan of hot foods, while still packing lots of flavor. The pretzel sticks had a great texture and were not excessively dry like other pretzels can be. And the YumEarth mint was the perfect ending to this healthy meal.

Sarah says "Life is limitless, even if your diet can't be" and these packs certainly let you live that limitless life without the stress of finding allergy friendly food on the go. If you are gluten free, make sure to hop over to Sarah's website (packedbysarah.com) to get your hands on your own Packed. by Sarah packs!

Gluten Free Five: Breads

Welcome to our newest series on the blog: Gluten Free Five! In this series, we will take a look at the top 5 products or companies in a designated category. All five will be, you guessed it, gluten free. We hope that this series will help you learn about lots of different products that are out there and see how they stack up. For our first Gluten Free Five post we will be taking a look at a product that is always a hot topic in the gluten free community: bread.

Andrew and I have sampled many different bread companies, all with many different types of bread. Some are fantastic, while others fell short (with a hard thud I might add). Here are our top five gluten free bread companies:

5. Udi's

Everyone in the gluten free community knows this name, and all of them seem to have very strong opinions about them. You can find them in almost every single grocery store you set foot into these days, and because of that accessibility, Udi's has snuck its way into the Gluten Free Five.

Found in the freezer section, these bread products range from a simple small loaf, to buns for your summer grilling. Udi's produces a wide range of bread based products that are very easy to find in most areas. Even BJ's Wholesale has started to stock this product. While this product is easily accessible, we found its quality to be a little sub par. 

The smaller loaves are, frankly, quite small. Our deli meats and cheeses often overwhelm the small slices, and that's after you have found one in the loaf that doesn't have an air hole baked into the middle of it. The larger pieces, while more accommodating for deli meats a cheeses, will end up costing you a pretty penny. We did not find these deluxe loaves to be worth their deluxe prices. 

Their burger and hotdog buns were probably our biggest disappointment. We tried microwaving, grilling, baking, and just plain old thawing of these buns and could not get a desirable texture out of them. What should act as a supporter of whatever savory delight you are choosing from your grill quickly becomes the only thing you can taste. We found ourselves taking our burgers off the bun and finishing them with a fork and knife instead. 

That being said, please do not knock out the Udi's company all together. While we are not pleased with their bread products, we can promise that you will be seeing this company return to a later Gluten Free Five where they will hold a much more prestigious spot. 

4. Against the Grain

If you are looking for a tasty baguette or a hearty dinner roll, look no further than this delicious brand! They are based out of Vermont, and put lots of love into each one of their unique products.

Found in the freezer section, Against the Grain makes a decent variety of delectable bread products. Their baguettes, dinner rolls, and bagels are available in a number of large chain grocery stores. Amy is particularly fond of their rosemary rolls, and will often use them as a bun for a grilled chicken sandwich. 

Their bread products are flaky, flavorful, and are accessible in a handful of large grocery store chains. The price of these products, however, are what keeps us from having these items on a more regular basis. We do feel that they are worth the price tag when we are looking to splurge on a savory treat!

We recommend the rosemary rolls, as well as the baguettes. We found that letting them come to room temperature on their own was the best way to thaw them. If you decide to toast or bake them, make sure to keep careful eye on your bread as we found it could get over cooked very easily. 

3. Goodman Gluten Free

Have you spotted Goodman Gluten Free in your local grocery store yet? Based out of Connecticut, this company is fast growing, and there's no question in our mind as to why! Bob Goodman has created a line of delicious breads that we find hard to match in quality.

We first found this brand at Gluten Free Allergy Friendly Expo in Worcester MA, but have been seeing it show up more and more at stores like Hannaford and Shaws. We were instantly taken aback by how fluffy Goodman's white bread was. This was a bread worthy of a delicious sandwich, or a hearty Saturday morning French toast. We were even more excited to find out that Godman makes not only more bread flavors, but also buns, bagels, and many other bakery products.

We recommend thawing these loaves to room temperature, and then preparing the bread product to your liking. These products are very versatile, and we have found to work in each of our bread recipes perfectly without any trouble

2. New Cascadia Traditional

If you are looking for a delicious crusty bread with a soft, fluffy center than look no further than new Cascadia Traditional. Located in Portland, Oregon, this small shop is bursting out of its walls and shipping their amazing bread products all over the country. We had the opportunity to try this bakery in person during our recent trek across the country, and were devastated we could only smuggle one loaf, and a dozen bagels back in our carry on bags.

You can now get your hands on their phenomenal products by ordering online. They are currently shipping bread loaves, buns, and rolls. They will soon be shipping out their bagels as well. As if being gluten free wasn't enough, many of their products are also vegan! But wait there's more! Did anyone say Kosher? New Cascadia makes an amazing gluten free Challah bread, perfect for your Friday night Shabbos! Shabbat shalom!

Our favorite product, so far, is the Rustic Italian loaf. Our favorite use for it was tearing it up and dipping it in a warm bowl of soup! Make sure to take a peek on their website to see what delicious loaves you can add to your dinner table.

1. Canyon Bakehouse

If you follow us on Instagram at all, this number one slot should be no surprise. To say we love Canyon Bakehouse would be an understatement. Based out of Colorado, Canyon Bakehouse is a gluten free, dairy free, non GMO company that will knock your socks off!

First and foremost, these products are extremely accessible. Locally, we have found their products at Walmart, Target, and Market Basket. Some of the products are available in the freezer section, while others are kept on the shelf. Where ever you find them, we promise you won't be disappointed.

Amy has quite the soft spot for the Honey White Heritage loaf. The pieces are large, fluffy, and have a slightly sweet taste. This loaf is perfect for everything from a delicious sandwich, to a hearty piece of french toast. Amy's favorite use of this loaf is avocado toast. Andrew is a mega fan of the Deli Rye Style. Yes, you read that correctly. RYE BREAD. Canyon Bakehouse has found a way to make a delicious Rye style bread without the risk of any cross-contamination. Andrew loves the flavor so much that he will eat it toasted with nothing on it. It's just that good!

Their burger buns were the perfect vehicle for our delicious BBQ goodies during our 4th of July celebrations. They were sturdy enough to hold up our burgers and toppings, while still being soft and delicious. We also recently got to enjoy their english muffins. You have not had a gluten free english muffin like this before! It had all the delicious nooks and crannies to hold your spread, and had amazing texture.

We could spend paragraphs going over all the amazing flavors of Canyon Bakehouse, but we won't. We will encourage you to go out to your local grocery store and by yourself a loaf. We promise that you won't regret it!

That's it! That's our Gluten Free Five! We hope that you enjoyed our list, and found something new and exciting to try! What would you like to see for our next Gluten Free Five? Let us know in the comments!

Andrew's Story

This post was written by Andrew Merriam, and lovingly edited by Amy Merriam.

I was diagnosed with Celiac in late 2018.  I was convinced by my doctor for two years prior that my stomach issues were a result of inflammation of my intestinal lining (I was born premature, and thus had a higher statistical chance of this occurring than most people apparently), and was told it was unrelated to diet choices, was given medication, and sent on my way.  The medication helped me to a point, but anytime I inquired about any possibility of greater relief from symptoms, I was told that the meds are the "best they can do" and that I just need to "deal with it" presumably for the rest of my life.

I'm a guy, so the "Oh well....deal with it" mentality has been ingrained in my psyche for the past 31 years.  My wife however, would chime in on occasion "All the symptoms you have are pretty much on par with Celiac Disease.  You should try going gluten free to see if it helps. Worst case is you see no change."  Even though I knew something was up beyond what my doctor diagnosed me with, stupidly, I brushed off my intuition. 

When Christmas season of 2018 rolled around, my wife bought me a 23andme DNA test (she gave it to me early because she wanted to time the results to come in around Christmastime).  The results showed I'm part Neanderthal (which Amy jokingly says explains a lot about some facets of my personality), and also said I had the genetic markers for Celiac.

I was surprised (and kicking myself after the fact because I could have saved myself from years of discomfort), but went along with trying a gluten free lifestyle to see if it helped.  Thankfully, I was able to cut out two of my medications I relied on daily for stomach pain after only a month, and overall, I feel so much better physically than this time last year (and NO more stomach pain).  ....I did have a moment of spontaneous denial on month 2 of going gluten free that "I don't really have Celiac", and fell victim to my nemesis named Little Caesar's Pizza, but the resulting day and a half of feeling horrid convinced me that going back to products containing wheat would be a very poor choice.  

In terms of food preferences, I enjoy spicy and bitter flavors.  I am a fan of anything with the word "buffalo" in front of it such as wings, tenders, and nuggets.  I am a fan of beer (which was difficult thing to cope with breaking away from the gluten containing beers given the amount of fantastic breweries nearby), but have found Glutenberg Stout and IPA to serve as good substitute if I'm in the mood for a pint of beer, and my wife has taught me a new appreciation for hard ciders (which are more widely available in our area than gluten free beers).  

I enjoy Mexican food, sushi, and a good steak.  I'm also a big snacker, and am a fan of potato chips, or anything salty with the exception of pork rinds. And cheese, any cheese really. I do have an affinity towards Kombucha Tea (which Amy is NOT a fan of) as well, and will give any flavor a try once or twice.

Unfortunately, I have Asthma which limits some foods I can eat if I want to avoid a flare up. On the occasions I feel like chocolate, I will go for a bar of Enjoy Life Ricemilk chocolate (which tastes just like milk chocolate without causing me to sprint towards my inhaler), and I will never turn down some good dark chocolate if someone offers.  Amy will sometimes modify recipes that are dairy heavy with coconut or almond milk which I very much appreciate!

I have very much enjoyed making this blog with Amy, as it has helped me have a strong introduction into the world of gluten free, and it has also allowed me to spent time with my wife. I can't wait to learn more about gluten free life, and meet more people in the gluten free community. 

The Importance of Replacing Meat in Some of Your Meals

As Andrew and I have been exploring more of the Gluten Free world together, we have made it a point to make sure that at least one day a week for us is vegan. While we have friends who are all about trying new things that we serve, and aren't afraid of a little cashew cheese, we will still get the occasional friend or family member who boasts the question:

But you're not vegan, so why go to the effort of replacing items in only some of your meals?

The short answer: Because we are hoping to leave a better world for future generations.

The Meat Industry has shown to have a pretty major impact on our environment. It takes a lot of land, a lot of water, and a lot of resources to produce meat. Not to mention the Methane gas that is produced by the livestock.

The biggest impact? 

Water.

Studies have show that it takes somewhere from 1,500 to 2,000 gallon of water to produce just one pound of beef! That includes the water it takes to grow the food for the cow, the water it needs to live, and the water it takes to keep them and their living space healthy and clean. One pound of vegetables on the other hand, can be produced with as little as 40 gallons of water! That's an insane difference!

How much of an impact can one day have?

Recent studies have shown that if the average person were to go meatless for just one day a week, they can reduce their meat consumption by 15%! That's a huge impact! And it's something that we can all do very easily.

But I don't want to eat just vegetables all day…

If you sit down and take a look at some vegetarian/vegan meals, I think you'll find a lot more out there than just veggies! Beans and rice are an excellent source of protein, and with the right spices, can have some amazing flavor! Vegan cheeses can be just as delicious and fun as dairy cheese. We love a good cashew cheese, especially one with garlic and onions in it. Quinoa is also a big hit in our home. We love making quinoa bowls with lots of roasted veggies piled on top.

Try little changes!

If you're still not 100% sold on the idea of going meatless for an entire day, try replacing an item here and there. We have found an avocado based butter spread at Walmart that we love! We use that all the time now instead of margarine.

And that's what's up with our vegan days. I am not sure we would ever go 100% vegan, but you never know. Health and diets change all the time. I will say that on top of knowing we are helping the environment, we do physically feel good after most of our meatless meals. We also make sure that when we do purchase meat, eggs, and other animal products that we buy them locally. That way we know where the products are coming from, and what kinds of conditions the animals are living in.

Sunday Brunch with Amy: Easter Edition

This past weekend was Easter Sunday, and I think you all know what that means. Amy went out to brunch! For this special holiday meal, I ventured over to the Colonial Hotel in Gardner, MA with family. Chefs Frank Lambardo and Josh Boudreau put on a meal fit for royalty at this beautiful location in central Massachusetts.

Upon entering, guests were greeted with friendly staff, and beautiful spring decorations. The Easter Bunny was also present to greet guests and their children as they waited to be seated. He had a lovely corner that was decorated with bright spring colors, perfect for a beautiful family photo op. Out in the hallway with the check in, guests got a preview of what was to come with a beautiful display of desserts ans fruits along the back wall of the entrance lobby. There were cakes, pastries, fruits, and many other delicious goodies that stretched quite a ways down the hallway. 

We were seated in the Colonial Hotel’s event hall, and while the brunch did seem to be completely booked out, it was not uncomfortably crowded in any way. Once seated, our server explained to us the different stations, and pointed out the event drink card. The featured drinks ranged from traditional brunch beverages such as a Strawberry Grapefruit Mimosa, to the less traditional Spicy Apricot Margarita. After confirming that the Champaign being served was safe for me to consume, I opted for my favorite brunch drink, a traditional mimosa. After our drink orders were placed, it was time to head to the buffet style meal. 

When we reached the buffet, I informed one of the staff members of my dietary needs, and they hurried off to find Chef Frank Lambardo. Frank greeted me with a big friendly smile, and a firm handshake. He was more than happy to make sure that my dining experience was a safe and delicious one. He explained the different tables to me, and the ingredients that he used to create each dish. Chef Frank, like all great chefs, has a well informed knowledge of allergy friendly ingredients. I was very pleased at the number of dished that were naturally gluten free at the buffet. Chef Frank even gave me some options of a few items he had out back that he would be happy to prepare for me.

Each item in the buffet had its own warming station, and was separated by a length or one or two spaces in line, so the chances of any of the utensils being used in a different dish was extremely slim. I built myself a plate with a little bit of breakfast, and a little bit of lunch. Home fries, sausage, bacon and scrambled eggs made a great tasting from the breakfast table. The green beans in the lunch area were perfectly cooked, and a vibrant green. The carving station featured lamb and roast beef, of which I opted to try a piece of each. Even the gravy at the carving station was gluten free.

After the main course, the desert table was calling to me. I was thrilled to find that there was a gluten free flourless chocolate cake that was clearly labeled, and positioned on a raised part of the table so it would be safe from other cake crumbs. Chef Frank also offered a strawberry cake he had in the kitchen. Being the chocolate fiend that I am, I opted for the flourless chocolate cake. This cake was wonderfully rich, and thick like fudge. My only regret is that I was not able to eat more.

The meal, to say the least, was delicious. I am happy to report that there was no kind of gluten reaction to any part of the meal. I was extremely pleased with not only the quality of food at this brunch buffet, but also the kindness and professionalism of the entire staff. I would highly recommend The Colonial Hotel to all those who are looking for a delicious and allergy friendly meal.

If you would like to enjoy a delicious brunch at The Colonial Hotel in Gardner MA, they will be hosting a Mother's Day Brunch on Sunday May 12th, 2019. The menu is already posted on their website, and they are taking reservations. 

Product Review: Our Favorite Easter Treats

Peter Cotton Tail is hopping right around the corner, and we are super excited to let you know what you will find in our gluten free Easter baskets this year!

YUMEARTH
Easter Candies

The name says it all! These candies are yum yum YUM! We found a box at our local Target that contains a variety of different holiday candies by this company. All of the candies in this pack are vegan, gluten free, soy free, egg free, dairy free, shellfish free, dye free, USDA organic, non-GMO, and manufactured in a facility free from peanuts. Here's the details:

Sour Beans

These beans taste just like they sound; sour! Flavors of pomegranate, peach, mango, and apple tingle in your mouth when you bite into these fruity treats. Amy is not a huge fan of sour, but she still managed to find her way to the bottom of the treat bag. Andrew couldn't get through these beans quick enough! He loved the sour taste.

Gummy Fruits

These little bunny heads are a great treat that will be enjoyed by all ages! These gummies feature flavors of cherry, peach, and strawberry. Amy could not get enough of these adorable bunnies, and ate through two bags in a matter of seconds. She liked that they were a firmer gummy then some of the others on the market. Andrew was also a fan of these, favoring the strawberry bunnies over the cherry and peach.

Pops

These pops are such a flavorful treat! They have amazing natural fruit flavor, and not that strong sugar taste you get with a lot of other pops. We were so excited we got to share these with our niece and nephew over this past weekend. They thought these pops were just the best! Amy is a huge fan of the Very Very Cherry, Andrew loved the Strawberry Smash, and we couldn't get the Googly Grape pops out of the wrapper fast enough for the kiddos! By the way, these pops are also Kosher Parve, so they are a perfect treat for Passover as well.

OCHO 

Chocolate Eggs

We found a beautiful display of OCHO chocolate eggs at our local Target store. What's Easter without a little chocolate? Not Easter, that's what! Move over chocolate bunnies! These chocolate eggs are going to be a new must have in our home. These eggs are USDA Organic, as well as National Celiac Association Certified Gluten Free.
Caramel Eggs
These caramel eggs are absolutely delicious! We love the soft and smooth caramel filling inside of its milk chocolate shell. The caramel has just a touch of salt for that perfect salty/sweet combination. Each egg has cute little seasonal designs on them, and they come individually wrapped. Andrew has not tasted these yet because Amy won't let him have the bag. Needless to say, Amy loves these.
Peanut Butter Eggs
The peanut butter eggs are the perfect treat for those who are looking for a great allergy friendly replacement for those popular Reese's eggs. The peanut butter is smooth, but not so soft that it's falling out of the egg when you bite into the milk chocolate shell. While Amy enjoyed these, Andrew definitely is the big fan of this flavor.

GOODIE GIRL

Cookies

OK, so these aren't a seasonal item, but doesn't that make them better? No waiting around for months until they return to the shelves! You can buy these cookies year round, and they are great for many of your celebrations! Goodie Girl Cookies are gluten free and made without peanuts.
Birthday Cake
These cookies are a game changer. They reminded us of vanilla Oreos, but better! Vanilla sandwich cookies make a sandwich of vanilla crème and rainbow sprinkles. We can not get enough of these cookies. Amy is a fan of opening them up and licking out the icing before eating the cookies. Andrew is a milk dunker for these. Both can't get enough.
Fudge Stripped
Remember those EL Fudge cookies? These are better. The shortbread cookie has be dipped in chocolate on one side, and drizzled with more chocolate on the other side. The shortbread cookie is flaky and slightly salty, while the chocolate is the perfect amount of fudgy sweet. Amy was not able to try these because Andrew ate the entire box in a Game of Thrones related stress moment. Looks like we will need to buy more for the Easter basket!

These were the best of this year for us. We hope that it was a help to you in finding things for your baskets, or even just a treat for yourself! Let us know in the comments what your favorite allergy friendly Easter treats are!

Recipe: Sweet and Spicy Mango Quinoa

Looking for something easy to make, but packed with lots of flavor? This simple recipe works great as a side dish for a week night dinner, or the main course of a light and delicious lunch. We used some simple ingredients that we always have stocked in our pantry.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 Cups Water

3/4 Cup Mrs Renfro's Mango Salsa

1 Cup Bob's Red Mill Tri-Colored Quinoa, unprepared

Instructions:

In a sauce pan with a tight fitting lid, mix water and salsa. Cover the pan and let come to a boil.

Add quinoa, stir well, cover, and bring the heat down to simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove pan from heat and give the quinoa a stir. Replace lid, and let sit for an additional 10 minutes. Any liquid that hasn't been absorbed will continue to cook the quinoa.

Fluff with a fork and serve!

Optional: Garnish with diced up pieces of dried mango, dried cranberries, or almonds.

Welcome

Hello and welcome to our new blog! We hope that this blog helps to bring you all kinds of gluten free help. If you are looking for new information for yourself, or for a loved one, it is our goal to provide you with abundant and accurate information.

Who are we? We are a married couple who have both been diagnosed with Celiac Disease. Although we both have the diagnosis, we are at very different points of living gluten free. Amy was diagnosed in 2008 with Celiac Disease, and in 2010 she was also diagnosed with Duhring's Disease. Andrew was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the fall of 2018, and also limits his dairy intake as it can have a negative affect on his asthma. 

While we both live with Celiac Disease, we understand that there are many people who benefit from a gluten free diet. We hope that anyone who visits this blog for any kind of reason feels welcome here. We also know many people who are gluten free have other dietary needs as well. If any off the things we write about on here also follow a different dietary need, we will indicate to the best of our ability.

We are always open to hearing your suggestions and ideas for our blog! Feel free to comment on our posts, or send us an email at: merriedwithceliac@gmail.com